Colin Munro Retires from International Cricket After T20 World Cup Snub
Colin Munro, the explosive New Zealand batsman, has bid farewell to international cricket after failing to secure a spot in the Black Caps’ T20 World Cup squad. Despite expressing his availability and impressing in franchise cricket, Munro’s hopes of adding to his 123 caps were dashed.
Munro’s international career spanned over a decade, during which he played one Test, 57 ODIs, and 65 T20Is. He made a significant impact in the shortest format, scoring three centuries and setting several records. His 47-ball hundred against West Indies in 2018 was a New Zealand record at the time, while his 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka remains the fourth fastest in T20I cricket.
Munro’s aggressive batting style and calculated risk-taking revolutionized the way short-form cricket was played. He was one of the pioneers of the 360-degree batting approach that has become commonplace in modern cricket.
Despite not playing for New Zealand since 2020, Munro remained hopeful of a return. However, with the announcement of the T20 World Cup squad, he has officially closed the chapter on his international career.
“Playing for the Black Caps has always been the biggest achievement in my playing career,” Munro said. “I never felt prouder than donning that jersey, and the fact that I’ve been able to do that 123 times across all formats is something I will always be incredibly proud of.”
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink praised Munro’s contribution to the team. “Colin was one of our first players to embrace the aggressive, 360-degree style batting that is now accepted all around the world as best practice,” Weenink said. “He was one of the pioneers of the new game, an innovative batsman who took calculated risk-taking to a new level, and led what was to become a revolution in the way short-form cricket was played.”
Munro will continue to play franchise cricket, but his international career has come to an end. He leaves behind a legacy as one of New Zealand’s most innovative and exciting short-form batters.
