George announces retirement from professional
Worker played with Central Districts and Auckland for several years and also had a brief stint in international cricket between 2015 and 2018. Former New Zealand batsman George Worker has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 34. He will take up a great opportunity with an investment services firm.
After a wonderful 17-year journey in professional cricket, George Worker I am announcing my retirement from the game. This decision marks the end of an incredible chapter in my life and the beginning of a new adventure, Worker, who began his professional career with Central Districts and ended it with Auckland, said. During my career, I have made some great friendships that will last a lifetime and there are memories I will cherish forever.
Worker had a short stint in international cricket
playing ten ODIs and two T20Is between 2015 and 2018, scoring 272 and 90 runs respectively. It started with the tour of Zimbabwe and South Africa in 2015, where on T20 debut, he won the Player-of-the-Match award for smashing 62 off 38 balls in Harare. A stellar performance in the Ford Trophy in 2017 saw him score 659 runs in ten innings at an average of 82.37 for Central Districts, putting him on the selectors’ radar again.
The ODI debut came on the same tour of Africa, and he got some runs in his best format in 2017 when he played against Ireland and West Indies at home, scoring all his three ODI half-centuries in that period.
Home series against New Zealand
Most recently, Worker got a chance to join New Zealand’s ODI squad for the home series against New Zealand in March 2022 when Mark Chapman was ruled out due to Covid-19, but he didn’t get a chance to add to his 12 international caps.
Overall, in 169 List A games, he scored 6721 runs at an average of 43.64 and a strike rate of 79.85 with 18 centuries and 37 half-centuries. His first-class (6400 runs at an average of 29.49) and T20 (3480 runs at a strike rate of 123.57) stats were less impressive.
Worker debuted for Central Districts in the 2007-08 season and represented New Zealand in the Under-19 World Cup soon after. Most recently, he played a key role in Auckland Aces’ Ford Trophy 2021-22 title win, topping the overall run-scoring charts with 672 runs in ten innings, including four centuries and an average of 84.00.
Part-time left-arm spinner
A part-time left-arm spinner, Worker took 58 first-class wickets along with 60 in List A cricket and 42 in T20s. Auckland Cricket’s Head of Performance and Talent Evan Jones said, “While his immense leadership and experience will be missed in the Aces environment, we are extremely excited for him as he begins this next chapter of his career. George will, of course, remain a vital part of the Auckland Cricket family, and we look forward to seeing what that may look like in the future.
The near future will be far away from cricket
Closing this chapter, I am excited to begin the next phase of my life with Forsyth Barr, who have provided me with a fantastic opportunity,” Workman said. “I look forward to bringing the same passion and dedication to my new role with them. I would like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, including my coaches, friends, family and my fiancée Laura.
I would also like to give a special thanks to Auckland Cricket for the last three seasons and of course CD Cricket, where I started at the age of 18 and spent the majority of my playing career.” During my career, I have made some great friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that I will always cherish.
As I close this chapter, I am excited to begin the next phase of my life with Forsyth Barr, who have provided me with a fantastic opportunity. I look forward to bringing the same passion and dedication to my new role with them.
Debut for Districts
Worker made his debut for Central Districts in 2007/08 and represented New Zealand in the Under-19 World Cup soon after. He made his Blackcaps debut against Zimbabwe in August 2015, scoring 62 off 38 balls, and went on to play 11 further matches for his country in ODI and T20I cricket.
He tops New Zealand’s domestic run scorers list with 14,976 and 28 centuries, while his 5,583 runs in New Zealand domestic List A cricket and 3,196 runs in T20 cricket are both national records.
Conclusion
Auckland Aces and former Blackcaps batsman George Worker is retiring from professional cricket. Worker, 34, is one of New Zealand’s finest domestic batsmen, especially in one-day cricket. He is retiring from the game to move on to an exciting new professional career.
After a wonderful 17-year journey in professional cricket, I am announcing my retirement from the game. This decision marks the end of an incredible chapter in my life and the beginning of a new adventure.
