Marcus North retires from Sheffield Shield

[Black Diamond]

PERTH Western Australia opener Marcus North has announced his retirement from first-class cricket despite enjoying one of his finest ever seasons.

North's career was at the crossroads last season when he was dropped to grade ranks due to poor form.

But the elegant left-hander bounced back to his best this season, plundering 886 runs at an average of 63.28 to lead the Warriors to their first Shield final in 15 years.

North was also named Shield player of the year and captain of the Shield team of the year.

The 34-year-old said physically he could play on for a few more years, but that mentally the time was right to retire.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/cricket...hield-ranks-20140403-zqq6p.html#ixzz2xnV5c9qv




A member of the century on debut club, his best series was the 2009 Ashes, hitting 367 at 52.42 including 2 centuries. He was fourth on aggregate that series behind Strauss, Clarke and Ponting.

I often felt he was below the radar in state cricket, receiving less plaudits than others with similar outputs. A very good player whose absence will weaken the quality of next years Shield.

 

[CakeEater]

Good Career Marcus, arguably had a better career than Shane Watson, in regards to statistical output and performances over the journey.

However unlike Watson, didnt get as much of an opportunity as him.

A first class avg of 41.26 and a Test Avg of 35.46 is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[HBF]

Quite surprising with the season he has just put together, but if he's cooked mentally then at least he's gone out on his terms.
I really would have taken him to South Africa based on what he produced this Summer.

 

[Hellgood]

Played some genuinely outstanding innings at test level against some very good bowling attacks. A bit frustrating he could never quite nail that consistency, because he certainly does not deserve to be remembered in the way that a significant majority of the cricketing public seem to think of him.

Developed his off spinners very nicely late in his career - watched him over the last two games of the shield season with Agar, O'Keefe and Lyon all involved and he looked more threatening than any of them.

Was hoping that he'd play on for the Warriors for another year given how well he played this year, but can't begrudge a long time servant from calling stumps. Hope to read about him dominating the county scene over the winter.

 

[The_Reaper]

Very good servant of WA cricket and it would have being nice to win a Shield with him.

Wish him the best.

 

[larrikin]

Sad to see him go to be honest.

I wonder what impact the tragic events around his brother had on this decision.

 

[Carbine Chaos]

A very underrated player IMO. Obviously he never really achieved consistency at the highest level, but when he was on he was a great batsman to watch who could really score runs at will. A massive loss for the Warriors and the Shield in general.

 

[Zach Package]

Sad to see him go to be honest.

I wonder what impact the tragic events around his brother had on this decision.[/quote]

I was just gonna say, it had an enormous impact on mark mercuri in 2001, we just don't know how hard it hit him

 

[Showbags]

I find it slightly strange that he'd make the call now unless the selectors have explicitly told him "you won't be needed for the UAE".

He would of made my squad for the UAE tour.

 

[The_Reaper]

I find it slightly strange that he'd make the call now unless the selectors have explicitly told him "you won't be needed for the UAE".

He would of made my squad for the UAE tour.

Why? Domestic season just ended and he had no indication he was in line for selection

 

[4evablues]

Great way to bow out! Great season mate and solid career. Good luck in the future.

 

[Belnakor]

Sad to see him go to be honest.

I wonder what impact the tragic events around his brother had on this decision.

i reckon he is thinking that there are other things in life than cricket.

 

[larrikin]

i reckon he is thinking that there are other things in life than cricket.

Yeah, that was where I was coming from

 

[Ashton Agar]

Good career Marcus. Not a bad test career either, maybe we were all calling for his head a bit early.

 

[Natho]

Sad to see him retire. But was a great servant and player for WA for a long time.