Moises Henriques retires from Australian domestic cricket, set to represent Portugal

Former Australia all-rounder Moises Henriques has announced his retirement from domestic cricket with immediate effect. The 39-year-old, however, has not hung up his boots completely and is poised to represent his birth country, Portugal, after becoming eligible to play in the World Cup Qualifier.

Henriques will go down as one of the greatest players in the history of Australia’s domestic circuit. The right-hander is the most capped domestic player in the country’s history with 420 appearances while representing New South Wales across formats and the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League.

Retiring as a one-club player, Henriques revealed that he had interest from other BBL franchises after the Sixers did not offer him a new contract. He, however, remained loyal to the state of New South Wales and decided to focus on the next phase of his career. 

“I have been very fortunate to call cricket my job for the past 22 years as a professional athlete. I had interest from other BBL teams, but it just didn’t feel right to go elsewhere. To the people I’ve been fortunate enough to play with and work alongside, I’d like to thank you. If it weren’t for those relationships and the deep care I have for them, I’m sure I would have reached this day much earlier. I think it’s time for me to call stumps on my career and start looking forward to the next chapter of my life,” Moises Henriques said, via Cricinfo.

Henriques will also be remembered for his excellent services to the Sydney Sixers. He represented the side in all 15 seasons of the Big Bash League, making 154 appearances, the record for the competition. The former Australian international contributed 3,324 runs and 22 wickets, guiding his side to three titles, including in the first-ever BBL season in 2012. The Sixers beat the Perth Scorchers in the final, with Henriques scoring 70 in the second innings to win Player of the Match.

Henriques was also part of the Sixers squad which won the Champions League T20 later that year. Part of a star-studded side consisting of Steve Smith, Brad Haddin, Nathan McCullum and the current Australian fast-bowling trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.