Published: Feb 24, 2016, 11:19 AM (IST)
Edited: Feb 24, 2016, 11:19 AM (IST)
Australian fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus has announced his retirement from First-Class cricket. Hilfenhaus, managed to play just one match for Tasmania all season and just six matches in the last two seasons. Hilfenhaus claims that his body is no longer fit enough to play First-Class cricket, but he will however continue to play in the Big Bash League (BBL) for Melbourne Stars. Hilfenhaus has played a total of 104 First-Class matches, which includes 27 Tests for Australia, last of which came in 2012 against Sri Lanka at Hobart. Overall, Hilfenhaus has picked up 387 First-Class wickets, 99 of which have come in Tests. The 32-year-olad has also played in 25 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and seven T20 Internationals (T20I) for Australia so far.
“I’ve had to make a decision with regards to my body not being able to perform at the level I’d like in four-day cricket anymore,” he told cricket.com.au.
“Everyone gets old eventually and after a little bit of thinking and making some decisions, I think this is my best way forward – to hang up the boots from the red-ball game. “It’s getting harder and harder to back up day after day and bowl the amount of overs that’s required for four-day cricket. I guess my body is just getting older.”
“I’ve had a problem with my hamstring attachment for pretty much the whole summer. That hasn’t really gone away which tells me I need a little break from the game for the short-term, have a mini pre-season and get myself fit and strong and ready to play white-ball cricket for the Melbourne Stars,” said Hilfenhaus.
Hilfrnhaus was part of three Sheffield Shield winning campaigns and has fallen just one wicket short of being the 37th Australian bowler to pick uo 100 wickets for Australia. “I’ll definitely take that,” he said reflecting on his time in Test cricket that spanned three-and-a-half years.
“Over the past few years I’ve had a few niggles and things that have affected the way I’ve performed in red-ball cricket and it is what it is. “To get the opportunity to play one Test was a great honour, so to play 27, I would have taken that at the start of my career, that’s for sure. “At the end of the day it’s just a number, isn’t it? Ninety-nine or 100 [wickets]. I didn’t start playing the game for personal accolades of taking ‘x’ amount of wickets or whatever.”
“I’m thankful and really honoured that I got the chance to play one Test match. That’s where it sits with me and it was a real thrill to represent my country,” said Hilfenhaus.
