Former NZ batsman James Marshall retires from all forms

Former New Zealand cricketer and Northern Districts' batsman James Marshall announced his retirement from first-class cricket after a 16-year-long career. Marshall, who played for New Zealand between 2005 and 2008, led Northern Districts for the last two seasons of the Ford Trophy.

"These are never easy decisions to make, and after 16 years it's going to be a big change for me," Marshall said. "But it's the logical one for myself and my family at this point in my life. Having done a 44-day stint away from home this season, [with] my wife looking after our young son, it was time for me to re-evaluate."

Marshall played seven Tests, 10 ODIs and three T20Is for New Zealand, scoring his only ODI hundred against Ireland in his last limited-overs match. His brother, Hamish, also played for New Zealand between 2000 and 2007.

Marshall, who made his first-class debut in 1997-98, became the first batsman to score 6,000 runs for Northern Districts. He is the leading run-scorer for Northern Districts at the one-day level, having scored 3,755 domestic runs. He also holds the record for most first-class appearances by a domestic player for a single province in New Zealand, with 126 appearances for Northern Districts in the Plunket Shield.

Northern Districts Cricket CEO, Peter Roach was all praise for Marshall and the commitment and longevity he demonstrated at the club.

"James is one of the leading players of his generation," Roach said. 'We will miss him after such a long and loyal association with Northern Districts and we wish him all the very best in his new career."