The cricket world is paying tribute to Moises Henriques after the 39-year-old announced his domestic retirement on Thursday after a 20-year career. Henriques played four Tests, 16 one-day internationals and 24 T20 internationals for Australia.
The all-rounder also played 131 first-class and 141 List A games for NSW, as well as featuring in 154 matches for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL. His combined 426 games in domestic cricket is the most of all time by an Australian.
Moises Henriques has retired from Australian cricket. Image: Getty
He announced on Thursday that his career in Aussie cricket is over after not being offered a new contract by the Sixers. Henriques said he might continue to play in franchise leagues around the world, but won’t join a different BBL club out of loyalty to the Sixers side he captained. He’s set to play for Portugal in upcoming World Cup qualifying matches.
Moises Henriques won three BBL titles with the Sydney Sixers.
“Too many people to thank,” he wrote on social media alongside a video message. “There’s no way we get an opportunity to do what we do without the support, help and care of loved ones, friends and communities.”
He said in the video: “After a bit of deliberation, I have decided that it’s time for me to call stumps on my BBL career and any playing commitments for NSW cricket moving forward. I had interest from other BBL teams, franchises, to play elsewhere.
“Not to disrespect the cultures of the teams that I haven’t been a part of, I feel a deep commitment to the teams I have been a part of and it just didn’t feel right to go elsewhere.”
Cricket world sends tributes to Moises Henriques
Henriques won 14 domestic titles across his NSW and Sixers career, scoring over 13,000 runs and taking more than 200 wickets in all formats combined. Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes said Henriques was “one of the most influential figures in Sydney Sixers and BBL history”, adding: “His leadership, integrity and commitment have shaped the club into what it is today.”
NSW Chairman John Knox said: “His lasting legacy on the playing group will be his leadership. This trait was identified in him from an early age, and he led his sides in almost half of the matches he played across those two decades. We congratulate him on his achievements as a player and look forward to continuing to work with him as Cricket NSW Foundation Director.”
Current and former teammates including Trent Copeland, Chris Green and Joel Davies paid tribute on social media.