Nairobi: Kenyan all-rounder Collins Obuya, who played a key role in Kenya’s campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2003, has bid farewell to his 23-year-old international career.
Obuya, who made his international debut against the West Indies in 2001, retired after his team’s 106-run defeat against Uganda in the African Games third-place playoff.
The 42-year-old was Kenya’s leading run-scorer in the tournament with 184 runs in five innings.
“I have decided to retire from the game after 23 years. It is a great honor to play for Kenya,” Obuya was quoted as saying by the ICC.
“I want to thank all my teammates and my family who have always been there for me. It’s been a great career for me, it’s very special to be able to play for so long. I’m very proud of my career, but Now it’s time for me to focus on my coaching at home and do the best I can for cricket.”
With 2044 ODI runs, Obuya is one of only four Kenyan players to have scored more than 2000 runs in the format before being stripped of ODI status. His 1794 T20 runs are the most by any Kenyan batsman. He also took 60 international wickets.
The leg-spinning all-rounder’s best ODI innings was an unbeaten 98 against Australia in the 2011 World Cup, which unfortunately ended in a defeat.
Following Kenya’s 2011 World Cup campaign, Obuya was named captain of the team, replacing Jimmy Komande. He resigned in 2013 after two years after the team failed to qualify for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2014.
Obuya’s 5-24 in the 2003 Cricket World Cup helped the African side fight off a much stronger Sri Lankan team. In the game, he took the wickets of Aravinda de Silva, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene to help Kenya win by 53 runs.
The vital points from this win helped Kenya reach the Super Six stage of the tournament and ultimately the semi-finals, becoming the only non-Test playing nation to achieve this feat.
