The 37-year-old left-handed batsman’s international swansong was marked by a T20 match against India in 2020, concluding a career laden with monumental achievements and unwavering dedication to the sport.
Expressing his sentiments on the matter, Munro stated, “Although it has been a while since my last appearance, I never gave up hope that I might be able to return off the back of my franchise T20 form.”
Munro’s illustrious journey in the international cricketing arena commenced with his T20I debut against South Africa in 2012. Over the years, he showcased his prowess in 122 white-ball matches for New Zealand, including a solitary Test appearance against the Proteas in 2013.
Among his numerous accolades, Munro’s 47-ball century against the West Indies in Mount Maunganui in 2018 stands out, marking the fastest T20 century for New Zealand at the time. Additionally, he etched his name in history by becoming the first player to notch three T20I centuries. His blistering 14-ball half-century against Sri Lanka at Auckland’s Eden Park in 2016 remains the fastest by a New Zealander in T20Is and the fourth fastest globally.
Despite his exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, Munro’s contributions to New Zealand cricket extend beyond mere statistics. He played a pivotal role in the Black Caps’ journey to the 2019 World Cup final, a campaign that captured the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide.
While Munro bids farewell to international duties, his legacy as a trailblazer in aggressive, “360-degree style” batting endures.
Scott Weenink, the head of New Zealand Cricket, lauded Munro’s indelible impact on the game, remarking, “(He) took calculated risk-taking to a new level, and led what was to become a revolution in the way short-form cricket was played.”
As Munro transitions to focusing on franchise cricket, his remarkable contribution to over a hundred international games resonates as a testament to his unwavering commitment and pioneering spirit within the cricketing fraternity.
(With inputs from Reuters)