Melbourne Stars veteran Rob Quiney has announced on SEN Afternoons his plans to retire at the end of this Big Bash season.
“I would say it’s unlikely,” he said, when asked if he had another campaign in him.
“One of the main factors is the way I have pulled up this morning. I’m pretty sore.
“I’m not too sure how much more the body can take, even with Twenty20 games.”
While admitting he wouldn’t mind staying in the cricket industry in a small mentoring role, Quiney says that would just be a “hobby,” and is ready to move into the next phase of his life.
“I’ve got my own little garden maintenance and lawn mowing business going for the last three years with Dan Christian and that has been part time,” he said.
“The transition from going to no state cricket this season and just Big Bash and club cricket, it’s been good to lessen the load.
“I’ve got two young daughters at home and at the moment they love and like me, they’re not embarrassed by me yet. I’d like to spend more time with them before they get to the age where Mum and Dad are embarrassing.
“I really want to cash in on that time.”
The 35-year-old leaves the game as a stalwart of the Victorian Bushrangers, winning five Sheffield Shield titles, with an average of 36.84 runs from 96 first-class appearances.
Quiney also played a pair of Test matches for Australia against South Africa in 2012/13, but he made just nine runs, something he concedes still sits in his stomach.
“I’m so proud that I played Test cricket but it’s bittersweet the way it transpired and finished,” Quiney said.
“I’m always going to take that with me, the sick feeling in my gut that I wish I had done better.
“It’s a weird one. It’s something I want to hang my hat on because I worked so hard in the period of time and to represent Australia was fantastic.”
Quiney has played just three games for the Stars this season, averaging 20.3 runs.
Listen to Rob Quiney’s chat with Andy Maher on SEN Afternoons in the player below!