Australian World Cup winning cricketer announces retirement from professional cricket at 34

Experienced Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson has announced his retirement from professional cricket. At the age of 34, he brings an end to a long journey in international and domestic cricket. Richardson represented Australia in 25 One-Day Internationals and 36 Twenty20 Internationals, and was a member of the country’s title-winning squad at the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

At the domestic level, Richardson represented Northern Territory and South Australia. He made his List A debut in the 2008–09 season before earning his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 2013.

Richardson enjoyed a notable career in the Big Bash League (BBL). He was among the few players to feature in every edition of the tournament. After spending six seasons with the Adelaide Strikers, he moved to the Melbourne Renegades in the 2017–18 season and went on to represent them for eight consecutive seasons. Although he was set to join the Sydney Sixers on a one-year deal ahead of the 2025–26 season, Richardson opted to retire before then. He finishes his BBL career as the competition’s fifth-highest wicket-taker, with 142 wickets.

Richardson was also a familiar face in franchise cricket, having represented teams across various leagues around the world, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Announcing his retirement, Richardson said, “From making my debut back in 2009 until now, I feel like I have squeezed every drop out of myself. This feels like the right time to finish such an enjoyable chapter of my life.”

He added, “I have been fortunate enough to represent my country and many franchise teams around the world. I have never taken any opportunity lightly. I hope people watching knew that becoming a cricketer was a childhood dream for a boy who grew up in Darwin.”