WELLINGTON: Colin Munro ended his international career on Friday after he was left out of New Zealand’s 2024 T20 World Cup squad.
Munro has not played in an international tournament for New Zealand since 2020, but featured at the World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
New Zealand coach Gray Stead confirmed Munro was part of the discussion when the squad was announced, but was ultimately ruled out.
Munro, 37, will continue to play franchise cricket, which he has been doing consistently for the past four years.
“Even though it’s been a while since my last visit, I haven’t given up hope that I can return to the franchise on the back of my T20 form. With the announcement of the Black Cage squad for the T20 World Cup. The best thing is that it’s time to officially close this chapter.”
Munro represented New Zealand in one Test, 57 ODIs and 65 T20Is. He has three centuries in T20I cricket, including a New Zealand record 47 in the West Indies in 2018. He also smashed a 14-wicket half-century against Sri Lanka, the fourth fastest in T20I cricket and a New Zealand record.
New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink praised Munro after his retirement was announced.
“Colin was one of the first players to adopt the aggressive, 360-degree approach that is now considered best practice in the world,” Weenink said.
“He is one of the pioneers of the new game, an innovative batsman who took risks, stepped up to a new level and revolutionized the game of short-form cricket. We thank him for his excellence. He contributed more than a hundred internationals.