Cricket Wellington Thanks Michael Papps

Cricket Wellington Thanks Michael Papps

Having announced his retirement from cricket today, Cricket Wellington would like to congratulate Michael Papps on his career and contribution to the game over the last 20 seasons.

Papps moved to Wellington ahead of the 2011-12 season, having already scored 6663 First-Class runs for Canterbury, including 19 centuries. His seven seasons for the Firebirds saw him add another 4837 runs and 13 more centuries.

Through his career with both provinces he became the first man to score 10,000 runs in the Plunket Shield and, just this season, he hit Wellington’s first triple century, making a memorable 316* against Auckland.

In announcing his retirement, Papps noted the influence of both provinces, thanking them for the opportunities they provided at different stages of his career,

“I would like to thank the Canterbury Cricket Association for teaching me the game and giving me the best grounding a young cricketer could possibly receive, and to Cricket Wellington for enabling me to expand my horizons and providing me with a new challenge.”

Cricket Wellington CEO, Cam Mitchell, acknowledged the career of the 8-Test BLACKCAPS’ opener,

“Michael has made an immense impact on this game and we are very proud to have had him as member of our team and representative of Wellington.

“He has captained the Firebirds, played match-winning and match-saving innings, and made history with that outstanding 300.”

Papps has a legion of fans throughout New Zealand who have enjoyed his entertaining approach to the game and his trademark cover drive. Mitchell echoed their enjoyment of a long career in thanking Papps,

“I’m sure cricket fans around the country will join me in thanking him for the memorable moments he has been a part of through his career.”

The last word belongs to Papps himself,

“The personal and collective triumphs, the runs scored, the days in the dirt, and the games won and lost are all memories I will take away, but most of all it will be the people, the teams I’ve played for, both here and overseas, and the great friends I have made that I will cherish the most.”

ends

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