New Zealand opener Michael Papps calls time on his 19-year first class career

Veteran New Zealand opener Michael Papps has called time on his illustrious 19-year old first-class career. He made his debut for Canterbury, way back in 1999 and thereafter has amassed a massive tally of 12,294 runs at a decent average of 38.66 in first-class cricket. Papps has played 8 Tests and 6 ODIs for New Zealand in which he has scored 246 and 207 runs respectively.

He made his international debut in the ODI series against South Africa in 2004 and the wicket-keeper batsman also secured his debut Test cap in the following month.

Papps names his most precious memories

After making a name in the Kiwi domestic setup, Papps failed to replicate his best performance on the international stage for his national team. He was also the leading run-scorer during the 2017-18 Plunket Shield domestic season, where he scored 814 runs at an average of more than 50. The wicket-keeper ends his domestic career with a massive 33 hundreds and 239 dismissals recorded to his name.  He also named a few memories that the batsman will cherish in his entire life.

“The personal and collective triumphs, the runs scored, the days in the dirt, and the games won and lost are all memories I will take away, but most of all it will be the people, the teams I’ve played for, both here and overseas, and the great friends I have made that I will cherish the most,” said Papps in his statement as quoted by Cricbuzz.

He also thanked the Canterbury Cricket Association for this big opportunity and the teachings which the cricketer has learned from them. Papps was named the skipper of Wellington team during the 2015-16 domestic season. Thus, he showered praises for Cricket Wellington for helping him in the new challenges.

“I would like to thank the Canterbury Cricket Association for teaching me the game and giving me the best grounding a young cricketer could possibly receive, and to Cricket Wellington for enabling me to expand my horizons and providing me with a new challenge,” the wicket-keeper batsman concluded.

Michael has had an immense impact on the game: Cam Mitchell

The chief executive of Cricket Wellington, Cam Mitchell also followed with some praiseworthy comments for the former opener. He mentioned that Papps has made some massive contributions to guide his team towards the victory.

“Michael has made an immense impact on this game and we are very proud to have had him as a member of our team and representative of Wellington. He has captained the Firebirds, played match-winning and match-saving innings, and made history with that outstanding 300. I’m sure cricket fans around the country will join me in thanking him for the memorable moments he has been a part of through his career,” said the chief executive of Cricket Wellington.

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