Craig Wright has aimed a few throwdowns at cricket’s rulers © PA Photos
Craig Wright has called time on a 19-year association with Cricket Scotland by appealing for cricket to become “a bigger, healthier, more meritocratic global game.”
He will end his cricketing commitments after World Twenty20 in India next month.
His comments come as the Big Three takeover of international cricket, with a resulting weakening of cricket’s expansionist philosophy, is coming under renewed scrutiny.
“I truly hope the future growth of the sport and Scotland’s chances of continuing to progress, are supported by us being given the appropriate opportunities to compete on the world stage,” Wright said.
“I believe we have a team which is capable, given the right opportunities of playing a significant part in a bigger, healthier, more meritocratic global game in the future: a sport which provides a pathway for talented young Scottish players to represent their country at the pinnacle of the sport if they are good enough to do so.”
Wright made his international debut for Scotland in 1997 and took over the captaincy five years later. Scotland won the 2004 Inter-Continental Cup and ICC Trophy the following year as well as qualifying for the 2007 World Cup.
He became Scotland’s most capped player – his consistent seam bowling allied to notable matchwinning innings down the order – and captained his country a record 107 times.
Wright has also served as development officer, marketing manager, performance development manager, coach and bowling coach. He led Scotland Under 19s to the 2012 and 2014 World Cups as well as acting as caretaker Head Coach for the successful 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign in New Zealand, becoming the first man to win the ICC Trophy as both captain and coach.
Wright said “After much thought and consideration I have decided to leave my position with Cricket Scotland following the WT20 Event in India. I feel it is the right time for me to take on some new challenges and explore other interests.
“Despite being a football loving boy from the West of Scotland, Scottish Cricket has been my passion since the first time I got the opportunity to play the sport as a 13-year-old, and has been a massive part of my life since then.
“I have been incredibly fortunate to have had some wonderful experiences in the sport as a player and coach during a time where cricket at Associate level developed beyond recognition.
“The forthcoming WT20 tournament gives us another opportunity to prove that we deserve to be on the global stage and I am confident we can do that. I have thoroughly enjoyed the last two years working with the current squad and staff, and a strong showing in India would be a great way to sign off.”
David Hopps is a general editor at ESPNcricinfo @davidkhopps
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo