Ireland legend Kevin O'Brien retires from international cricket

O'Brien said that he made the decision to move on having not been selected for Ireland duty since the end of last year's T20 World Cup

Ireland allrounder Kevin O'Brien has retired from international cricket, bringing to an end his 16-year career on the world stage.

The 38-year-old won 389 caps for his country and was responsible for one of the most remarkable innings in World Cup history, smashing a 50-ball hundred against England in 2011. He was also not out at the end with Trent Johnston when Ireland beat Pakistan four years earlier – a result that brought global attention to Irish cricket.

He remains the only Ireland batter to have made centuries in all three international formats, reaching three figures in Ireland's maiden Test – also against Pakistan. He also took 172 international wickets.

Playing alongside his brother, Niall, he was part of a golden era for Irish cricket, whose success played a key part in the move towards full ICC membership. His retirement comes not long after William Porterfield, his long-time captain, called time on his own career.

O'Brien said that he made the decision to move on having not been selected for Ireland duty since the end of last year's T20 World Cup: his last appearance came in a defeat by Namibia at Sharjah.

^{Kevin O'Brien with brother Niall after his finest hour, smashing a World Cup hundred against England (Tom Shaw/Getty Images)}

"I had hoped to have finished my career at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia," he wrote in a statement.

O'Brien missed out on the tranche of central contracts awarded in March, though new head coach Heinrich Malan insisted that he remained in the reckoning.

"To the fans, not just in Ireland but around the world, I hope you enjoyed the way I played cricket," he said.

"All of my proudest moments and memories were playing in front of Irish fans so thank you for the incredible support."

He reserved special thanks for Adi Birrell, his first Ireland coach, and Phil Simmons, who led the Irish team for eight years. O'Brien added that he now hoped to gain coaching experience overseas.