(Cricket news) Hamish Rutherford the opening batter for Otago and New Zealand will play the last professional game of his career next week, in the Super Smash clash against Northern Districts in Dunedin. Rutherford has played a total of 16 Tests, 4 ODIs and 8 T20s for the Kiwis in what was a short international career. He scored a 171 on debut against England in 2013.
He made 7863 first-class runs along with 17 centuries while averaging 35.26 in his 130 first class games. He played 127 List A games, scoring 4326 runs with 13 centuries in the format, and 192 T20s – including eight T20Is – for 4279 runs at a strike rate of 141.50.
Rutherford will retire having played the most T20s for Otago; he broke Neil Broom’s record earlier this month. Overall, he will retire having played the third most matches for Otago across formats, behind Broom (348) and Derek de Boorder (292).
“It has been a privilege to play for Otago and be part of this iconic province,” he said in a statement. “While playing for New Zealand was always the dream, I’m grateful for the opportunities cricket has given me and my family. I’ve loved every minute of it. I appreciate all the support I have had from family and friends, fellow players, coaches and supporters of the province.”
“Hamish will undoubtedly be considered one of Otago’s greats,” Otago Cricket chief executive Mike Coggan said. “I have seen him play innings that very few other cricketers are capable of. He has been an entertainer at the top of the innings, and he has my utmost respect as a player and person. His contribution to Otago Cricket has been immense.
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