By Trevor Makonyonga
Zimbabwe fast bowler, Kyle Jarvis (32) has retired from cricket after struggling with an injury that has stalled his career.
Having played in his 13th test match last January, Jarvis suffered a back injury prompting him to call it quits.
Jarvis said that his decision was “very difficult” and that it took him a long time to process.
“It was a very difficult decision having to retire and it’s something that took me a long time to come to grips with. Nobody wants to stop doing the thing they love. After my back injury last year, there was a lot of uncertainty whether I would be able to bowl again.
“After six to eight months out, I was lucky enough to make a full recovery but I knew I had to start planning for the future.”
Jarvis said that he will now focus on a personal business but will consider returning to game in a different capacity.
“I have a business which is fairly new which needs my full attention for now, but I look forward to working with Zimbabwe Cricket in some capacity going forward.
“I certainly want to give back to the game which gave me so much,” he said.
Jarvis thanked the cricket family that supported him during his playing days.
“A special thank you to my friends, family, Zimbabwe Cricket and Lancashire County Cricket Club for all the support over the years.”
Kyle is the son of former Zimbabwe international cricketer, Malcolm Jarvis. His story is unique as after impressing at the 2008 edition of the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup, Jarvis was fast-tracked into international cricket before he had even played first class cricket as he made his one-day international (ODI) debut for Zimbabwe against Kenya on 12 October 2009.
The pacer said that he will miss walking onto the field of play.
“Every day wearing the Zimbabwe badge is a highlight and I was very fortunate to be able to represent my country over a 10-year career. I will miss walking out onto the field in an international with a close group of friends.”
He went on to make his Test bow against Bangladesh on 4 August 2011, before he played his first ever Twenty20 international (T20I) match against Pakistan on 16 September in the same year. In August 2013, Jarvis quit international cricket to pursue a county contract with Lancashire in England. After a successful stint in the county game, in September 2017 he returned to Zimbabwe to play international cricket again. Jarvis retires having taken 132 wickets in the 84 international matches that he featured in during his career. That haul includes 46 wickets in his 13 Tests, 58 wickets in 49 ODIs and 28 wickets in 22 T20Is. He also played 84 first-class matches, taking a total of 320 wickets.
