James Shannon announces retirement

Irish international James Shannon has announced his retirement.

The 29-year old batsman from Belfast made his international debut for Ireland in 2012, hitting 59 in his first innings against South Africa A in a First-Class match at Oak Hill, Wicklow.

He appeared 19 times for Ireland, and was named in the squad for Ireland’s historic first men’s Test Match in 2018. Possibly his most eye-catching innings for Ireland being his 60 off 35 balls against India in a T20 International at Malahide in 2018. He played 65 times for Ireland Wolves and various second-tier national representative sides over this time as well.

At the Test Triangle Inter-Provincial Championship level, Shannon represented the Northern Knights, captaining the side in 2018. He finishes his career the second-highest run scorer in the first-class three-day competition (1,078 runs at 34.77), with a highest score of 140* against Leinster Lightning in 2017. That year he topped the run aggregate charts in both the three-day and T20 competition.

At club level, Shannon played for 18 seasons and made more than 200 appearances for his boyhood club Instonians Cricket Club, with a brief period in 2019 playing with Phoenix Cricket Club.

Announcing his decision, Shannon said:

“I am today retiring from all levels of cricket, which will allow me to concentrate my focus on my next career move.”

“I would like to thank Cricket Ireland, and all the coaches and players I have worked with over the years for the opportunity to represent my country. It is something that I will cherish forever. Wearing the jersey was always my dream, and it was something I never took for granted. I wish the team all the success for the future and I will be a keen supporter of all things Irish Cricket.”

Richard Holdsworth, Performance Director at Cricket Ireland, said:

“On behalf of the coaches and staff of Cricket Ireland, I would like to thank James for his commitment and performances over the last seven years as part of the international set-up.”

“While it is probably true that we never saw the very best James had to offer at international level, I doubt anyone who saw his innings against a frontline Indian attack at Malahide in 2018 could ever doubt the talent he possessed.”

“We wish James well with his next step and look forward to seeing him as an Irish cricket supporter for many years to come.”

Key representative career statistics – James Shannon

International caps for Ireland: 19

Inter-Provincial records:

Highest run-scorer in Inter-Provincial Championship – 2017 (446 runs at an average of 74.33)

Highest run-scorer in Inter-Provincial Trophy (T20) – 2017 (251 runs at an average of 41.83)

Highest score for Ireland: 60 from 35 balls against India, Malahide 2018 (scorecard)

Highest score for Northern Knights: 140 from 165 balls against Leinster Lightning, Belfast 2017 (scorecard)

Highest score for Ireland Development XI: 123 against Sussex 2nd XI, 2013