Hamilton mulls retirement

Lance Hamilton, Central Districts left-arm fast bowler, is on the verge of retiring from first-class cricket after being overlooked by selectors for two New Zealand A teams to tour Australia next month.

Hamilton told www.stuff.co.nz, "I've got a month to make up my decision and I am tossing around the idea of perhaps just playing the one-dayers for Central but at the moment that's only half an idea.

"If I had made either of those New Zealand A teams I definitely would be playing next year because I've got a burning ambition to play more games for my country. But clearly that's not going to happen now."

Hamilton, 33, will most likely leave the game to concentrate on his new career as a real estate agent in Napier. If he does, then his last game will be a memorable one; he took 6-34 to skittle Wellington on the final day of the State Championship final. It lifted his first-class wickets haul to 208 at an average of 25.34. Hamilton played two ODIs for New Zealand, both against Australia, in March 2005, but went for nearly eight runs per over in 18 overs with only the wicket of Simon Katich to show for it.

"If the final is the end it was very fitting. The chances of replicating that next season are pretty slim. I've enjoyed my time on the field, but the time you spend away with Central Districts gets to me a bit."

Hamilton's retirement could mean three leading players will be missing from Central Districts next season. Jarrod Englefield is off to the Netherlands for a year and Mathew Sinclair has indicated he will play in South Africa unless he gains a central contract.