Aukland: Allrounder Corey Anderson had called it quits on New Zealand cricket with immediate effect after accepting a contract with the upcoming Major League Cricket T20 in the USA. Anderson has signed a three-year deal.
“It’s been a huge honor and extremely proud to represent New Zealand. I would have loved to have achieved and played more but just is what it is sometimes, and different opportunities arise and send you in a direction you never thought would be a possibility. Very appreciative for everything that NZC has done for me,” Anderson was quoted as saying to Cricbuzz.
Anderson, who holds the record for the fastest ODI century in men’s cricket, bids adieu with 93 caps for New Zealand across the three formats. He shot to instant fame within a year from his debut with the 36-ball century against the West Indies in 2013.
Shorly after, the left-hander signed for Mumbai Indians in the IPL and became a fan favorite by playing the most impactful innings (95* off 44) in the 2014 season, pulling off a nerve-wracking win to steer his team into the playoffs. Anderson was also an integral part of New Zealand’s World Cup run in 2015, albeit ending up as runners-up.
However, a string of injuries halted Anderson’s international career and couldn’t match the heights he had achieved during the initial stages of his career. Stress fractures, groin injuries and chronic back issues were a part of Anderson’s career.
Anderson, who turns 30 next Sunday, therefore played his final game for New Zealand way back in November 2018. “It hasn’t been an easy decision. I asked myself several questions. What do I want to do now or what do I want to achieve in the next two years, five years, 10 years? As you get older you think about life a little bit more broadly as well.
“And obviously, my fiance, Mary Margaret, who’s born and raised in America, she’s had a massive part to play in that because she’s sacrificed so much for me, by moving to New Zealand, getting immersed in a different culture there and, and supporting me through a lot of tough times with injuries and time out of cricket. So, when the opportunity arose, we thought that living in America is the best thing, not only for my cricket, but it’s, it’s the best thing for both of us in general as well,” Anderson added.
Anderson is looking forward to cricket in America and has also visited a Minor League Cricket exhibition game between Dallas and Houston in September and was surprised with the level of cricket on display. “I went out there for a few minutes but decided to stay back to watch the entire game. It turned out to be a super over (game)!” said Anderson.
Anderson is the most high-profile signing made to date by Major League Cricket after getting Pakistan’s Sami Aslam and South Africa’s Dane Piedt into their fold. As with Aslam and Piedt, Anderson’s contract requires him to play Major and Minor League Cricket and undertake coaching activities at MLC’s chain of cricket academies.
