New Zealand's Mills calls it quits

Michael Huguenin

New Zealand's Mills calls it quits image

Kyle Mills retired from cricket on Wednesday, joining ex-New Zealand team-mate Daniel Vettori in calling it quits after the World Cup.

The 36-year-old fast bowler was part of the squad that went all the way to the Cricket World Cup final in Melbourne, but did not play a game.

New Zealand lost by seven wickets to fellow hosts Australia on Sunday.

It was Mills' third World Cup, with the Auckland native ending his New Zealand career with 19 Tests, 170 one-day internationals and 42 Twenty20 internationals to his name.

Vettori announced his international retirement on Tuesday but his long-time team-mate will stop playing altogether.

"It's been an honour and privilege to play cricket for my country over the past 14 years and I will miss it greatly," Mills told blackcaps.co.nz.

"However the time is right for me to step away from playing this great game and devote more time to my family who have sacrificed so much for me to keep playing the game I love."

Mills took 44 Test wickets at an average of 33.02, while he claimed 240 scalps in ODIs with an average of 27.02.

In T20Is, Mills claimed 43 wickets at an average of 28.55.

"It's sometimes forgotten that over the course of his career Kyle has consistently been ranked in the top 10 ODI bowlers in the world and for a long time held the top spot," New Zealand coach Mike Hesson said.

"To have the longevity that Kyle's had takes an incredible work ethic and desire to represent your country."

Michael Huguenin