Hamish Benett announces retirement from all cricket

New Zealand speedster Hamish Benett has called time on his 17-year-old professional career, stating that the 2021-22 season would be his last. The New Zealander has made 31 appearances for the Black caps across all the three formats and was most recently featured in a T20 game against Bangladesh in September last year. 

Fortuitously Hamish made his international debut against the same opponents in an ODI fixture way back in 2010 and followed that by his only test appearance against India in Ahmedabad.

Bennett’s career was crammed with injuries. The 35 year old pacer was also a part of the 2011 World Series but was sidelined due to a lower back injury. While the constant injuries might have curtailed his international career, he did enjoy a fruitful domestic stint with Wellington and Canterburry.

Bennett made 265 domestic appearances in all since debuting in 2005 with 489 scalps. In that time the fast bowler won 12 domestic titles including five Plunket Shields, two Ford Trophy titles, four men's NZ T20 League titles and a women's NZ T20 title as Wellington's bowling coach. 

When I started out as a young kid bowling in the nets in Timaru, I never dreamed I would have gone on to enjoy the career that I've had," Bennett said.

"From Old Boys Timaru Cricket Club, who got me involved in cricket at the start, Timaru Boys' High School, South Canterbury Cricket, Canterbury Cricket, Cricket Wellington, and New Zealand Cricket, as well as all the other great clubs I've played for down the years, they've all played a role in helping me achieve my cricket dream.

"I've been so fortunate to work and play alongside so many great players, captains and coaches and I'd like to thank every one of them for their support over the years. It's been an honour to represent my family and my country for New Zealand and those memories and experiences will be ones that I cherish and tell stories about for the rest of my life."