Ireland cricketer Ed Joyce retires from all cricket

May 24 (CRICKETNMORE) - Ireland star cricketer, Ed Joyce has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. The left-handed batsman made his Test debut just last week in the country's inaugural Test, against Pakistan. He made 43 in his last knock for his country.

Joyce's ODI debut came for England against the country of his birth in 2006. He made one century for his adopted team, against Australia in Sydney in 2007, but enjoyed his best years after switching back to Ireland ahead of the Cricket World Cup 2011.

He averaged 41.36 in 61 ODIs for Ireland and made five centuries.

Joyce said, “I feel now is the right time to stop playing and get started on a new chapter," said Joyce. :The recent Test match against Pakistan was such an incredible few days and was the perfect game for me to say was my last in professional cricket.

“I am very grateful to Cricket Ireland for giving me the opportunity to get involved in the coaching set-up. I know I have a huge amount to learn about the art of coaching, but I know I also have a huge amount of knowledge that I’m determined to pass on to the next generation of Irish talent”, he added.

ICC congratulates AB de Villiers for a splendid career