August 29, 2024

Shannon Gabriel Retires from International Cricket

West Indies fast bowler Shannon Gabriel has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career that began in 2012. The 36-year-old Gabriel played 59 Test matches, 25 One Day Internationals (ODIs), and two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), taking a total of 202 wickets across all formats.

In a heartfelt message shared on Instagram on Wednesday, Gabriel reflected on his journey. “For the past 12 years, I have dedicated myself to playing international cricket for the West Indies,” he wrote. “Playing this beloved game at the highest level has brought me immense joy, but as the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Today, I am announcing my retirement from international cricket.”

Shannon Gabriel has had a notable cricket career, playing 59 Test matches, 25 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and two Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and taking a total of 202 wickets. At 36 years old, Gabriel last played for the West Indies in July 2023. Despite retiring from international cricket, he continues to play for Trinidad and Tobago in domestic matches.

Expressing his gratitude, Gabriel said, “Firstly, I would like to thank God for the numerous blessings and opportunities my family and I have received during my time playing for the West Indies. Secondly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Cricket West Indies administrators, coaches, and staff members. Words cannot adequately convey the appreciation I have for your hard work and support over the years.”

He also paid tribute to his teammates and those who supported him throughout his career, stating, “Last but not least, I am grateful to my teammates and all those who have stood by me and supported me along the way. You have made my journey to the top truly special.”

Looking ahead, Gabriel says he plans to continue his involvement in cricket.

“Moving forward, I plan to continue representing my country (Trinidad and Tobago), club, and franchise teams around the world with the same love and passion I have shown throughout my career,” he concluded.

Career Highlights and Challenges of Shannon Gabriel

Shannon Gabriel excelled in Test cricket, leveraging his height and strength to make an impact, even on unresponsive pitches. He achieved the fourth-best match figures for a West Indian with 13 wickets for 121 runs in a home Test against Sri Lanka in June 2018. His impressive pace and bounce led West Indies fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh to compare him to greats like Patrick Patterson and Ian Bishop. Although it took time for Gabriel to consistently harness his potential, he became a key player by 2017, contributing to memorable victories such as the one against England at Headingley.

Another memorable moment in Shannon Gabriel’s career came with the bat during a Test match in Dominica against Pakistan. With the West Indies nine wickets down and only seven balls left to draw the match and the series, Gabriel attempted a big hit but was bowled out. This was just ten days after he had delivered a Player-of-the-Match performance to secure a win for the West Indies.

In 2019, Gabriel faced a setback when he was banned for four ODIs for making an inappropriate comment about Joe Root. He accepted the ban, apologized, but later felt the incident was exaggerated.

Gabriel last played for the West Indies in July 2023. Since then, he has remained active in domestic cricket with Trinidad and Tobago and also participated in the Abu Dhabi T10 last year.