Scotland's Kyle Coetzer retires from all forms of cricket

Former Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket, Cricket Scotland have confirmed. Coetzer's decision comes after he had accepted to take up the role as an assistant coach of the Northern Diamonds, one of the eight women’s regional ECB hubs.

Coetzer is Scotland's leading run-scorer across formats with 4,687 runs, which includes five tons and 27 half-centuries, in an international career spanning 15 years. He is just one of three batters to have scored over 4,000 runs across formats for his country. He led his country 110 times before stepping down as Scotland captain, handing over the reins to Richie Berrington. Three months before the T20 World Cup 2022, the veteran cricketer also quit from T20Is.

Coetzer finished as the leading run-getter in Scotland's successful campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 with 1,062 runs at 34.85, thereby assuring them a spot in the ODI World Cup Qualifier, which will be played in Zimbabwe later this year.

“I’ve been playing for Scotland since I was 11 or 12 years old, so it’s been the best part of 26 years playing for my country," Coetzer said. 

"I can still remember the day when Peter Steindl picked me – we were sat in the scorers shed at Merchiston Castle School, and when he called out my name I just thrust my hands up in the air in celebration!

“I don’t ever think there’s a perfect time for a decision like this, but I’ve been considering my options for some time, and an opportunity came up which was too good to turn down.

“The balance that the Scotland team need at this time was outweighed by the opportunity for me to move into coaching, and I’m extremely excited about the chance to work with such a high profile team."

Coetzer had quite a few highlights in his career since he began playing competitive cricket nearly 20 years ago.

“I’ve been so lucky throughout my Scotland career, that it’s tricky to pick out a highlight. Getting our first win in the ICC T20 World Cup against Hong Kong in India in 2016 was special… but then so was the whole of 2018," Coetzer said. 

“The victory against England at The Grange was just amazing. That whole year – Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, England – just felt like a change of momentum and belief amongst the players about competing against the best teams in the world.

“Reaching the ICC T20 Super 12’s in 2021, having never achieved it before, and being the captain of that squad, will also always stay with me."

Coetzer was also crowned the associate cricketer of the decade in 2020 and was also bestowed with the MBE for his services to cricket the same year. 

Talking about Coetzer's influence on Scotland, skipper Berrington said, “Kyle’s had an incredible career, and to play at the level he has for such a long period of time is testament to his dedication, his work ethic and his passion for the game. He’s been hugely influential in growing our game and taking this team forward over the years. 

“He’s been inspirational not only as a leader, but through some of the special performances and milestones that’s he’s achieved. He led the team to some of our biggest ever wins, particularly at the T20 World Cup in 2021 when we reached the Super 12’s – that was certainly a memorable moment for the squad.

“He’s always given our team a belief that we can go out there and compete with the best in the world. He’s also someone who’s highly regarded and respected in our game, and he’s been a great ambassador not only for Scottish cricket but Associate cricket as well."