Cricket: Cairns to retire from test cricket after England tour

4.15pm

Allrounder Chris Cairns will retire from test cricket at the end of the Black Caps' tour of England, he announced today.

Cairns said he felt it was fitting that he should finish his career at Trent Bridge, where he first played county cricket for Nottinghamshire in 1988.

The Black Caps leave for a three-test series in England next month.

"I have some great memories from Trent Bridge and I feel it is the appropriate time and place to finish my test career."

Cairns said he considered a number of factors before coming to his decision.

"First and foremost, I felt that it was time that I spent more time with my family.

"I have two young boys and a wonderfully supportive partner who I would like to be able to spend more time with.

"I also have a strong desire to maintain my involvement with New Zealand cricket at the highest level."

He had constantly battled the strains that test cricket placed on the body throughout his career and believed that he now could continue to play one-day international cricket for longer.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said Cairns had his support in making the decision.

"I completely respect and support Chris' decision and the reasons he has for making it.

"Chris' achievements in test cricket cannot be underestimated.

"In the recent test series against South Africa he became one of only six cricketers to ever reach 3000 test runs and 200 test wickets.

"He was the second fastest cricketer to achieve this milestone next to England's Ian Botham.

"This achievement is even greater when you consider his career has on several occasions been adversely affected by injury."

Snedden was delighted that Cairns has decided to continue playing one-day international cricket.

The positive influence he had on the Black Caps both on and off the field and mentoring of younger players was huge.

"It's fantastic he has decided to play in this test series and to continue to play at one-day level."

Cairns' last test will be played at Trent Bridge starting on June 10.

- NZPA