New Zealand duo retire

Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins and batsman Shanan Stewart have retired from competitive cricket.
Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins and batsman Shanan Stewart have retired from competitive cricket.
Hopkins played four Tests, 25 ODIs and 10 Twenty20 Internationals between June 2004 and December 2010.
"The game has changed. Now there's strength, mental, nutrition, technical and video analysis – so many tools you can use," the 37-year-old told told the <i>New Zealand Herald</i>.
"Sometimes I think we get a little confused, but each of them can aid you if you use them correctly."
Stewart represented the Black Caps in four ODIs in 2010 – but never returned on the back of poor scores of four and six against Australia and two and 14 against Bangladesh.
"It was still a very tough call. I've made some really good mates in this sport and it was a pretty tough decision to retire," the 31-year-old told <i>Fairfax NZ News</i>.
"But I've got a young family now and other things on my plate and, really, at the end of the day I probably wasn't having as much success as I wanted."
Latest
-
News
Dan Lawrence adamant he will stick to ‘unique’ batting technique in Test arena
The 23-year-old should make his Test debut when England start their two-match series against Sri Lanka.
-
News
Steve Smith criticised for appearing to scuff Rishabh Pant’s guard in third Test
Former Australia captain Steve Smith was branded “childish” after an incident during the final day of their drawn third Test against India
-
News
Tim Paine admits he let the Australian bowlers down
Australia captain Tim Paine believes he was at least partially to blame for his side failing to bowl India.
-
News
Testing times on tour in Sri Lanka – the life of an international cricketer
Gloucestershire’s James Bracey is on his first overseas tour with England. Here he writes about his experiences so far in Sri Lanka.
-
News
India salvage unlikely draw in third Test against Australia
India salvaged an unlikely draw as the third Test against Australia reached a thrilling finale.
-
News
Chris Silverwood backs ‘fighter’ Dan Lawrence to make step up to Test cricket
The Essex batsmen is in line for an England Test debut against Sri Lanka on Thursday.
-
News
Ravichandran Ashwin condemns alleged racial abuse of Mohammed Siraj by SCG fans
Play was halted on day four of the third Test between Australia and India while six spectators were escorted out of Sydney Cricket Ground by police.
-
News
Investigation launched after Indian players allegedly abused by crowd in Sydney
Play was held up while police and security guards escorted six people from Sydney Cricket Ground.
-
News
Jos Buttler determined to keep standards high with gloves and bat in Sri Lanka
The 30-year-old has Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow for competition in the England side.
-
News
England’s Dom Bess thinks pitch for Friday’s warm-up won’t be repeated in series
England finally took to the pitch in Hambantota for a low-key workout between Team Root and Team Buttler.