Matthew Horne says he has enjoyed his career but feels the time is right to leave first-class cricket. File picture / Kenny Rodger
Former international opening batsman Matthew Horne yesterday announced his retirement from first-class cricket.
Horne played 35 tests, scoring four centuries and averaging 28.38 runs.
He also played 50 one-day internationals for New Zealand in which he averaged 24.41 runs.
The 35-year-old player, who began his first-class career at 21, is
playing in Scotland during the New Zealand winter. Horne said he felt the time was right to make a break from first-class cricket and concentrate on life after his playing days, adding he had enjoyed every second of his career.
"I've been incredibly lucky with injuries over the years, which has allowed me to play as long as I have, and I certainly couldn't have done it without a lot of help.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have had an impact on my career, especially the support from my family, Garth Gallaway, John Graham, Brittain Wynyard and the Grafton United Cricket Club."
Horne began his career with Auckland in the 1992-93 season but struggled to cement a place in the side and his appearances in the following two seasons were sporadic.
After playing a scintillating innings of 190 off only 192 balls to help win the 1995-96 final against Wellington, he decided to make the move to Otago.
The decision paid dividends, as his next season saw the runs flow - 843 of them at an average of 49.58, including three centuries and four fifties.
His outstanding season led to a call-up for the Black Caps and a test debut against England.
Horne scored four centuries for New Zealand with a top score of 157 against Zimbabwe.
He had a memorable tour of England in 1999 where he scored 670 runs at 44.66 and was instrumental in setting up the second test win at Lord's, his first-innings century helping New Zealand win the series 2-1.
Horne had a number of successful summers in Otago, regularly averaging above 50.
He posted his highest first-class score, 241, against Auckland in the 1997-98 season.
Auckland Cricket chief executive Andrew Eade wished him all the best.
- NZPA
