All-rounder , who featured in New Zealand’s noteworthy win in the 2015 World Cup semi-last, has stopped playing in all types of cricket in the wake of completing his spell as the captain of Birmingham Bears in the Vitality Blast in England. In the wake of finishing 6th in the North Group in the T20 competition and not having been able to qualify for the quarter-finals, Elliott announced his retirement on his Instagram account on Tuesday evening.

I remember being 12 and writing down my life goals. To play in a World Cup, play international cricket and play county cricket. 27 years on and I have loved every minute of it. Thanks to all the memorable people I have met that have made this journey special. To family and friends who have given me unwavering support despite all the sacrifices I have had to make that have impacted them.

“This game is a special one but it doesn’t define us. Looking forward to the future with great excitement and sharing a drink with those selfless players I shared a change room with.”

Elliott, 39, had signed with the Bears last year after retiring from international cricket and signed with Kolpak to play in the T20 tournament. Earlier he had retired from ODIs in 2016, two days after New Zealand were knocked out of the World T20 by England in the semi-final.

He was born in Johannesburg, and began his first-class career more than 20 years ago, in South Africa in 1996-97. Later moving to New Zealand in 2001.