West Indies' Pooran pulls up stumps before Aussie tour

Nicholas Pooran, West Indies' Twenty20 record-holder for runs and appearances, has announced his retirement from international cricket ahead of Australia's tour of the Caribbean later this month. 

The 29-year-old played 106 T20s for 2275 runs at an average of 26.14. He also played 61 one-day internationals, including three centuries and one World Cup.

"Wearing that maroon, standing for the anthem, and giving everything I had each time I stepped on the field ... it's hard to put into words what that truly means to me," the left-handed wicketkeeper batter posted on Instagram.

"To have led the team as captain is a privilege I will always hold close to my heart."

Australia will play three Tests in the West Indies from June 5 before a five-match T20 series.

Pooran was suspended briefly in late 2019 after admitting to ball-tampering against Afghanistan, and overcame that to be named T20 vice-captain about 18 months later for a tour by Australia. He then became captain when Kieron Pollard couldn't play, and led the team to a 4-1 series win.

He was a sensation for the Melbourne Stars in 2019-20, and then in 2022, the Trinidadian was named the permanent white-ball skipper  and took the team to that year's T20 World Cup in Australia, but in the fallout from a first-round elimination he resigned.

He starred when West Indies hosted the T20 World Cup last year, overtaking Chris Gayle as the team's all-time leading scorer, and hitting his highest T20 score, 98 against Afghanistan.

It is understood Pooran told Cricket West Indies of his retirement on Monday and the decision will allow him to concentrate on playing in lucrative franchise leagues.

Pooran had already skipped the ongoing T20 series against England to rest following his time playing for Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League.

He also has deals in Major League Cricket and The Hundred this summer.

Cricket West Indies praised Pooran as a game-changer, and with "sincere gratitude and appreciation ... for his outstanding contributions. His performances on the field and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies cricket."

He last played for West Indies in December 2024 in T20s against Bangladesh, but has not played an ODI since July 2023 and does not play Tests.