It has been over six months since former BLACKCAPS fast bowler Iain O’Brien pulled stumps on his international cricket career. He was considered the go-to man for the Test team, but he decided, in what was considered one of the highest points of his career, to put his family before an international career.
www.blackcaps.co.nz spoke exclusively with the talented paceman about the tough decision to retire from top level cricket, life after the BLACKCAPS and his next step on the career ladder.
He signalled his departure from international cricket with a moving press conference during the second Test against Pakistan at his home ground, the Basin Reserve in Wellington in December 2009. He told the world’s cricketing media that he was finishing up at the end of the series. Although the decision was a tough one, O’Brien knew he was making the right choice. “No regrets, no way; I know I've done what I needed to do to keep me, and Mrs O’Brien, happy,” he said. “I would have loved to been able to keep playing for a while longer but my desire to have a family and spend more time with my wife weighed heavier.”
He finished his time with the BLACKCAPS just before Christmas, and was in the United Kingdom to be with his family by mid-January. He watched the Australian tour of New Zealand during late February and March and in a small way wished he was still part of the action. “I really do miss international cricket; it was a big decision but one I knew was right,” he said. “The Australian Test match at the Basin made things really hit home, I wanted to be there; I wanted to be playing that one.”
During the English winter O’Brien made the most of spending some time with his wife and enjoying the snow. As the weather has become progressively warmer, he has gone back to training, this time with county side Middlesex, who he’s signed with for the next two years. “Once it warmed up I joined up with the Middlesex lads for their preseason, including a Marine Camp visit and have been battling through the season so far,” he said. “Our home ground is Lord’s. Nice bonus that, as it’s just such a great place to play.”
The domestic cricket calendar in England can be considered more gruelling than New Zealand’s; however O’Brien has adjusted well and is enjoying getting out onto the oval for Middlesex. “So far, in eight weeks we have played nine Championship matches; that's almost a whole summer’s worth in New Zealand; still seven matches to go.”
Between playing cricket and spending time with his family, O’Brien has considered taking steps to become a full time writer once he hangs up his playing boots. When he was playing for the BLACKCAPS he wrote a candid blog about the ups and downs of his international career and he is looking at taking that passion for writing one step further. “When I started my blogs I didn't see writing as a career, the blogs were just there to share how we lived and played and to get my thoughts out of my head. With how they've been received I'd be silly to not look into that as a career,” he said. “I’m working on something that will hopefully attract new people to books and to cricket and feel it is positive outlet. It proves that creativity and sport can go hand in hand."
Although O’Brien is England based these days, he’s still cheering on the BLACKCAPS and looks forward to seeing what they can do in the sub-continent. “I still get the occasional message from a few of them which is nice,” he said. “I just want to wish the boys well for their next adventure to the sub-continent and hope they are enjoying a well deserved break.”
