The end of the 2024/25 NZC Domestic season brought with it the end of a loyal Wellington career, Iain McPeake signing off with one last wicket to end the last Plunket Shield match this summer at the Cello Basin Reserve.
Iain McPeake has announced his retirement at the end of the 2024/25 summer.
— Cricket Wellington (@cricketwgtninc) March 28, 2025
The veteran pacer has played over 100 games for Wellington, taking 200+ wickets in his appearances for the Firebirds.
Thank you, Iain!
🔗: https://t.co/bXPjBLN07E pic.twitter.com/bzUDW1yop8
It was the likable Lower Hutt-born paceman's 154th first-class wicket, finishing with five Plunket Shield bags to his name, a best of 5/21, and one match haul of 10/51 in the format in which he first debuted for Wellington, in March 2016 at the same ground.
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A steady presence for the Firebirds since the tail of that 2015/16 season as well as having been an outstanding rep hockey player, "Big John" - as he is ubiquitously known to his teammates and opponents - took more than 200 wickets across all formats in his Wellington career, 152 of those wickets coming in the Plunket Shield where he was known as a tough workhorse with a big ticker.
Bowling with the pink ball in the day-night Plunket Shield match in 2017
All images: PHOTOSPORT
Said the 33-year-old soldier of seam before he bowed out in his winning swansong against Canterbury, "It’s been an incredible honour to represent Wellington.
"For a long time I just wanted to get one game - so to have had the privilege to play for so many years, and be a part of many incredible matches, is something I'll cherish forever.”
McPeake wasn't a renowned batter - he scored 753 runs from 56 first-class games at a 12.34 average, but on his day, he could genuinely frustrate the opposition.
That was the case when he dug in for one of his first-class best scores, at Fitzherbert Park against the Central Stags towards the end of 2023/24 - almost reaching that elusive maiden half century, but more importantly, eating up time in the game to ultimately help his side save the match, one that ended with the Firebirds nine down and narrowly escaping with a draw.
"Through the years, I've been very fortunate to have rubbed shoulders with some of the best cricketers and blokes, said McPeake.
"It's often said that the best memories you'll hold onto aren't always from the field, but it's the time in the changing room celebrating. I see a lot of truth in that.”
While he made the biggest impact in the red-ball arena, McPeake was also useful with the white ball and played 36 one-day and 14 T20 matches for the Firebirds, taking 43 List A wickets with a best of 5/40, and nine Dream11 Super Smash wickets in his career.
McPeake said he wanted to extend his deepest thanks to the entire Cricket Wellington organisation and the support staff who made it all possible.
"We couldn't do this without the support from those behind the scenes,” he said.
While he’s stepping away from the playing side of the game, McPeake will be no stranger to the Cello Basin Reserve in coming years.
"I'll be getting back on the tools to finish my building apprenticeship... and no doubt badgering players from the banks next summer!"
