New Zealand pace bowler Andy McKay retires from all forms of cricket

New Zealand medium-pacer Andy McKay has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The left-armer, who played 19 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and a solitary Test match, announced his decision on Monday.

McKay’s sole Test wicket was that of Sachin Tendulkar, in 2010. McKay remarked on him dismissing the Indian legend, telling stuff.co.nz, “I’ll take it. You can do a lot worse, can’t you?”

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The 35-year-old says his decision to move from Auckland to Wellington was one of his best moves. “Coming to Wellington, and I’ve told the guys this, was the best move I ever made in my career. I was 29 and just a run-of-the-mill First-Class cricketer.”

McKay recalled the moment he considers to be the one that helped him make his international debut. He took three wickets playing against Northern Districts, where Daniel Vettori was batting at No. 3. “That’s when Dan was captain, coach, selector and pretty much was New Zealand cricket, so the timing was perfect. I did bowl to him that day and it came out pretty well and, on the back of that, I think it was a big reason I got picked [for New Zealand],” said McKay. He continued, “I don’t think Dan ever said that [the spell made McKay a Black Cap] but it was just the feeling I got.”

McKay is now looking forward to the festive season, his first since retiring. “You sort of live in a bubble [at that time of year] and it feels like you’re in a separate world almost. You can see all these people are on their Christmas holidays but you’re there at work. You sort of get a taste of what it’s like, but it’s a sort of bubble experience.”