Central Districts and former BLACKCAPS opening batsman Peter Ingram has retired from all forms of first-class cricket.
Ingram (33) has been battling an Achilles tendon injury since the final round of the HRV Cup and decided to call time after ten seasons at the top level.
“After some weeks of deliberation I have decided that it was better to make the decision now so that the Stags can focus on the remaining rounds of the Plunket Shield knowing for certain who was available” Ingram said. “The players that have come in have done a great job and it is in the best interests of the team to give them certainty around selection”.
Travel, time away from his young family and the door seemingly being shut on his international career were the primary reasons for his decision.
“I’m away from home for ninety percent of the time during the season and with two young boys your priorities start to change.”
“I would have loved to have played more for New Zealand as well, but it became obvious this year that I was not in the selectors frame so committing myself to my family becomes the most important thing,” Ingram added.
Ingram debuted for the Devon Hotel Central Stags in 2002 and the punishing right hander has since been a regular member of the side in all formats of the game. He retires as the second highest run scorer in first-class cricket for Central Districts behind Mathew Sinclair and holds the two highest individual scores for the Association – 247 against Northern Districts in 2008/9 and 245* against Wellington the following season. He also holds a number of partnership records.
“I am proud of what I have achieved in the game and certainly don’t retire with any regrets”, Ingram said from his New Plymouth home. “The HRV Cup win at Pukekura Park in 2010 will always be a highlight, as will the games that I played for the BLACKCAPS”.
Chief Executive Hugh Henderson acknowledged the contribution that Ingram had made to Central Districts cricket.
“We are sad to be losing Peter to retirement as he has been a major contributor for the Stags over many years. He has been the best performed batsman in first-class cricket in New Zealand over the last six seasons where he has regularly featured among the leading run scorers,” said Henderson.
“His positive approach at the top of the innings often put us in a dominant position early on in games and that will be missed. He has real passion for the Stags as well and this is something that has definitely rubbed off on all of those that he has played with.”
Ingram will return to teaching on a full time basis at New Plymouth’s Francis Douglas College.
Career Highlights
• World record Twenty20 opening partnership (and second best partnership in all Twenty20 cricket) of 201 with Jamie How against Wellington in 2011/12.
• Central Districts / New Zealand first class (and 11th highest in all first class cricket) first wicket partnership of 428 with Jamie How against Wellington in 2009/10.
• Central Districts highest third wicket partnership record of 264 with Mathew Sinclair against Northern Districts in 2008/09
• Leading run scorer in the 2010/11 Plunket Shield with 858 at an average of 50.47.
• 2010 BLACKCAP featuring in two Tests, eight One Day Internationals and three Twenty20 Internationals.
