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Marlon Samuels retires from all forms of cricket

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Marlon Samuels. (Photo by Jewel Samad / AFP / Getty Image)

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. The former all-rounder played a key role in the West Indies’ twin wins in the T20 World Cup, top-scoring in the finals of both tournaments against Sri Lanka and England in 2012 and 2016 respectively.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, the Samuels’ decision has now been made public, with Cricket West Indies CEO Johnny Grave confirming that the batsman had told the CWI about his retirement in June. The 39-year-old last pledged his trade to the West Indies in December 2018. Samuels will always be remembered for appearing on big occasions, especially in two T20 World Cup finals.

Against the hosts in 2012 Sri Lanka, Samuels batted brilliantly in Colombo against bowlers like Lasith Malinga and Ajanta Mendis. He was on 20 from 32 balls after 10 overs of the West Indies innings, ending the hosts on 32 for the cleaners, before taking the hosts to the cleaners and ending on 78 off 56 balls. The West Indies had easily won the clash to win their first T20 World Cup.

Four years later, he batted again and scored an unbeaten 85 off 66 balls, as the West Indies became the first team to beat England in Kolkata and the only team to win the T20 World Cup twice so far. Samuels finished his international career scoring 11,134 runs across formats with 17 centuries. He also took 152 wickets.

Marlon Samuels – Favorite Child of Disputes

During his career, Marlon Samuels also found himself involved in many controversies. Back in 2002, after a team curfew ended in India, he landed in hot water and was almost sent home. In 2008, he was banned by the ICC for two years after being found guilty of “receiving money, or a profit or other reward that could be brought to him or the sport of disdain”.

In 2014, he openly took a stand against West Indies captain Dwayne Bravo during a canceled tour of India, stating that he wanted the series to be completed. Recently, he was in discussion for all the wrong reasons after posting an exclusive-laden message in a slam on Instagram Ben stokes And Shane Warne.