West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel He has officially announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious career spanning over 12 years. The 36-year-old took to his Instagram account on Wednesday (August 28) to reflect on his trip and express his gratitude for the opportunities he’s had while representing the national team.
A career of dedication and achievement
Making his international debut in May 2012, Gabriel played a total of 86 matches for the West Indies, including 59 Tests, 25 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 2 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Throughout his career, he scored 202 wickets, with his most significant contributions coming in the Test format. He scored 166 runs at an average of 32.21, including six five-wicket hauls. His spectacular performance came against Sri Lanka in June 2018, where he achieved remarkable match figures of 121 for 13.
In his retirement message, Gabriel expressed deep gratitude for his journey in international cricket. “For the last 12 years I have dedicated myself to playing international cricket for the West Indies. It has given me immense joy to play this beloved game at the highest level, but as they say, all good things must come to an end.” stated.
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Gabriel also thanked his family, teammates and Cricket West Indies for their support throughout his career.
“First of all, I would like to thank God for the many blessings and opportunities that my family and I have had while playing for the West Indies. Secondly, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the administrators, coaches and staff of Cricket West Indies.
“Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for your hard work and support over the years. Finally, I am grateful to my teammates and everyone who has supported me along the way. You made my trip to the top really special” he added.
The right-arm seamer’s future plans
After retiring from international cricket, Gabriel plans to continue playing domestically for Trinidad and Tobago as well as various clubs and franchise teams around the world.
“Moving forward, my plan is to continue to represent my country (Trinidad and Tobago), club and franchise teams around the world with the same love and passion that I have shown throughout my career.” concluded the right arm pacer.
Gabriel’s retirement marks the end of an era for West Indies cricket as he was known for his pace and aggression on the field that embodied the spirit of classic West Indian fast bowling. His contributions to the team and the sport will be remembered by fans and fellow cricketers alike.
