Former Kiwi player Ingram retires from cricket

Wellington, Mar 9(ANI): Former New Zealand opening batsman Peter Ingram has decided to retire from all forms of cricket after struggling with an Achilles tendon injury.

Ingram said he took the decision after giving it a good long thought.

"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," Stuff.co.nz quoted Ingram, as saying.

He credited his commitments toward family as one of the major reasons behind taking the decision to retire at an age of 33.

"I'm away from home for 90 per cent of the time during the season, and with two young boys your priorities start to change," he 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," Ingram added.

He made his debut for the Black Caps in 2010, featuring in two tests, eight one-dayers and three Twenty20 internationals.

Ingram will return to teaching on a full time basis at New Plymouth's Francis Douglas College. (ANI)