World Cup winner Bevan to retire

World Cup winner Michael Bevan has announced his retirement because of persistent injury problems.
Bevan helped Australia lift the trophy in 1999 and 2003 and at one time was rated the world's best one-day batsman.

He scored 6,912 runs in 232 limited overs internationals at an average of 53 and also won 18 Test caps.

"I've pretty much achieved what I wanted to achieve," said 36-year-old Bevan, who has been playing state cricket for Tasmania since 2004-05.

"It got to the stage where injuries and pain were holding back my motivation.

"I was finding it hard to get up for matches and that was probably a pretty clear indication that it was time to move on," he added.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland paid tribute by saying: "He has been part of an incredibly successful generation of Australian talent."

Bevan began his first-class career with South Australia before moving on to New South Wales, where he first attracted the attention of the national team selectors.
He made his one-day debut against Sri Lanka in April 1994 and progressed to the Test side five months later but despite scores of 82, 70 and 91 in his first series against Pakistan, a perceived weakness against short-pitched bowling cost him his place early in 1998.

Despite that, Bevan remained a permanent fixture in the limited overs side and gradually established a reputation as the game's pre-eminent finisher, underlined by the fact that of his 46 fifties and six centuries for Australia, 21 of them were unbeaten.

Australia were 74-7, chasing a target of 173 against West Indies at Sydney on New Year's Day 1996, but with only the tail for support, he made an unbeaten 78 to see them home by one wicket.

His highest score of 108 not out came against England at The Oval five years later but even more important was his unbeaten 74 when the two sides met in Port Elizabeth during the 2003 World Cup.

After scoring 204-8, England reduced Australia to 135-8 in reply but Bevan and Andy Bichel shared an unbroken partnership of 72 in 12 overs to win the game with two balls to spare.

Bevan did not make the team for the final against India, however, and his international career came to an end the following year when he was left off the list of Australia's contracted players.

He continued to be a prolific scorer at state level, however, and his all-round skills as a fielder and left-arm wrist spinner meant he was also in demand for English county sides during his career, with spells for Kent, Leicestershire, Sussex and Yorkshire.

Bevan has been doubling as an assistant coach for Tasmania during the current Australian season and they are likely to retain his services in that capacity.

"His coaching, particularly of our young up-and-coming players, has been of great benefit to the team and we are looking forward to continue to use his skills in this area," Tasmania Cricket Asssociation chief David Johnston confirmed.