Australian pacer Bracken retires

Bracken announces retirement, cites injuries as reason.

SYDNEY: Australian limited-overs specialist Nathan Bracken has announced his retirement after citing injuries as the reason. The left-armer, a key member of Australia’s World Cup-winning team in 2007, played 116 One-Day Internationals (ODI), five Tests and 19 Twenty20s. Bracken played his last game for Australia against England in September 2009 and cited knee injuries for his decision to call it quits at 33.

Bracken said he had investigated ways to continue playing, but received medical advice that he should retire.

“I have had a strong rehabilitation from my last operation and have also looked at altering my bowling action to reduce any further damage in my knee,” said Bracken.

“My doctor has advised that I may require further surgery to enable me to have good use of the knee, but to continue playing first-class cricket is now not an option that I have.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 30^th,  2011.