Australia Veteran Announces Retirement Before T20 World Cup 2028

Australian veteran announced retirement [Source: AFP]

In a major development, one of Australia's most-capped domestic players announced his retirement from Australian cricket ahead of T20 World Cup 2028. On Wednesday, the ICC introduced significant amendments to the format of the T20 World Cup, bringing in a Super 10 stage. 

However, as Australia prepare to host the T20 World Cup 2028, one of their oldest servants bid adieu to the BBL and Australian domestic circuit to join a new team ahead of the marquee tournament. 

Cricket Australia confirms Moises Henriques retirement

Veteran New South Wales and Sydney Sixers allrounder Moises Henriques announced his retirement from the BBL and Australian domestic circuit, a day after the ICC confirmed a new format for the upcoming T20 World Cup edition. 

Henriques, who is one of the pioneers of Sydney Sixers, won't be donning the prestigious pink jersey in the BBL 2026-27, which begins with a historic clash between Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Why did Moises Henriques retire from Australian cricket?

Notably, the Sydney Sixers didn't offer Moises Henriques a contract for the BBL 2026-27 season. In his statement, Henriques revealed that although he was approached by several other teams, he decided against playing for any franchise other than the Sixers. 

"I had interest from other BBL teams, but it just didn't feel right to go elsewhere. After a bit of deliberation, I've decided it's time for me to call stumps on my BBL career and playing commitments with NSW and start looking forward to the next chapter of my life," Henriques was quoted as saying by Cricket.com.au. 

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Moises Henriques' Australian cricket career at a glance

Renowned for his ability to play quick-fire knocks and contribute handy overs with the ball, Moises Henriques made his debut for New South Wales in a First-Class encounter against South Australia way back in 2006. 

He went on to make his List-A and T20 debut for the decorated Australian state team the same year, eventually earning a national call-up for the T20I series against New Zealand on home soil in 2009. 

Although Henriques also made his first-ever ODI appearance in 2009, it took him four more years to get into the Australian Test side. Overall, he played 44 international matches, including 4 Tests, 16 ODIs and 24 T20Is, amassing 636 runs and scalping 17 wickets across formats. 

However, despite not living up to the expectations in international cricket, Henriques remained an integral part of New South Wales and Sydney Sixers in the domestic and BBL, respectively. 

He featured in 131 First-Class, 141 List-A and 301 T20s, scoring 6830, 3812 and 5747 runs, respectively. Moises Henriques also added immense value to the table as a medium pacer, scalping 333 wickets in all three formats combined. 

Henriques is the second most successful batter in the BBL history with 3324 runs. He is also the most successful captain for the Sixers, having led them to two BBL titles in 2019 and 2020. 

Moises Henriques notable achievements

• Most capped player in Australian domestic circuit with 420 matches for New South Wales and Sydney Sixers combined
• Has won 14 trophies with New South Wales
• 3-time BBL champion
• 2-time BBL winning captain
• 2nd most runs in BBL history
• Most matches in BBL (154)
• Most matches as captain in BBL (129)

What's next for Moises Henriques?

Moises Henriques was born in Portugal and migrated to Australia to pursue his cricketing career. Now, after retiring from Australian cricket, Henriques will represent his home country, Portugal, in the European qualifying competition for the T20 World Cup 2028. 

Additionally, Henriques will explore opportunities across different T20 leagues, even representing the Glasgow Cosmic in the inaugural European T20 Premier League (ETPL), scheduled for August-September this year. 

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