Peter Ingram retires from first-class cricket

Peter Ingram, the Central Districts batsman who also played for New Zealand, has retired from first-class cricket, bringing to an end a career that began in 2001-02. Ingram, 33, suffered an Achilles tendon injury during the final round of the HRV Cup and said he was retiring to spend more time with his family.

"After some weeks of deliberation I have decided that it was better to make the decision now so that the Stags can focus on the remaining rounds of the Plunket Shield knowing for certain who was available," Ingram said. "The players that have come in have done a great job and it is in the best interests of the team to give them certainty around selection."

Ingram played two Tests, both at home, averaging 15.25. He also played eight ODIs, averaging 27.57 with a highest of 69. He had a more impressive first-class record, with 5623 runs in 82 games at 39.87; in List A cricket, he averaged 32.64 in 60 games with three centuries. He is the second-highest run-getter for Central Districts in first-class cricket, behind Matthew Sinclair.

"I'm away from home for 90% of the time during the season and with two young boys your priorities start to change," Ingram said. "I would have loved to have played more for New Zealand as well, but it became obvious this year that I was not in the selectors frame, so committing myself to my family becomes the most important thing.

"I am proud of what I have achieved in the game and certainly don't retire with any regrets."

Central Districts chief executive Hugh Henderson said: "His positive approach at the top of the innings often put us in a dominant position early on in games and that will be missed. He has real passion for the Stags as well and this is something that has definitely rubbed off on all of those that he has played with."