Tim Murtagh, a seasoned Ireland seamer who has played county cricket for an incredible 23 years, has finally made the decision to retire at the conclusion of this year. This information is released as Middlesex’s fight for Division One survival comes to a close with a crucial match against Warwickshire at the venerable Lord’s Cricket Ground. If chosen for the match against Warwickshire, Murtagh will make his 264th first-class appearance overall and an incredible 91st at Lord’s.
His fifth ten-wicket haul this season, which included his 1000th wicket for Middlesex, displayed his talent earlier in the campaign. In a notable nine-wicket victory at the same stadium, Tim Murtagh accomplished this feat against Kent. The Irish, who changed from being a player to serving as a player-coach at the start of the 2023 season, is now prepared to begin a full-time coaching career after earning a position on the Middlesex coaching staff.
“Now is the moment to put these words on paper; I’ve been ruminating on them for about ten years. I am retiring from cricket at the end of this season, which I announce with tremendous pride and a touch of melancholy. After a wonderful 25 years of fun playing professional sport, it’s finally time to hang up the speed menace boots (the irony is not lost on me),” Tim Murtagh said in a statement provided by the club, according to ESPN Cricinfo.
Murtagh continued, “As I go onto the coaching staff and the next phase of my life, I can’t wait to help the next generation of Middlesex cricketers live out their dreams.
With Surrey, Tim Murtagh began his County cricket career in 2000.
Tim Murtagh has taken 1341 wickets in his cricket career, including 951 in the first class. His career began in 2000 at Surrey, then in 2007 he transferred to Middlesex. Notably, he played for Ireland in 75 games across all forms. His best performance came at Lord’s, where he recorded 5 for 13 in just his third Test match, cementing his place on the list of all-time greats.
The director of cricket for Middlesex, Alan Coleman, praised Murtagh and called him a “absolute gem of a bloke, both on and off the field.” Coleman shared his enthusiasm for Murtagh’s move into coaching, acknowledging the influence he has already had and the potential he will have in the coming years.
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