Former Australian and NSW quick Doug Bollinger has retired from all forms of cricket following the conclusion of the Big Bash season.
Bollinger, who played 12 tests for Australia in 2009-2010, praised NSW Cricket for persisting with him early in his career.
"I was pretty raw and they gave me a really good chance at cricket,” Bollinger said.
"I played under some great captains and players for NSW and Australia including Steve, Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting.
"To play for 15 or 16 seasons with the SCG as my home ground has been amazing.
"A special thank you to all the great people at Cricket NSW who helped me on my journey.
Bollinger took 50 wickets for Australia in his 12 tests at an impressive average of 25.92. In the summer of 2009-2010, Bollinger took hauls of eight, seven and six against New Zealand, finishing the Australia summer season with 37 wickets in just seven test matches.
This saw Bollinger named in the ICC Test Team of the Year in 2010, where he was also was named in the ODI team in the same year. Throughout his international ODI career, the left armer finished his career total of 62 wickets to his name at an average of 23.90.
After a short cameo in the test team, Bollinger was dropped after the first Ashes test in 2010-2011, where he returned to his home state, to become the third highest wicket taker in NSW's history across all forms of cricket with 290, only third NSW cricketing greats Geoff Lawson and Mike Whitney.
"Doug was a larger than life presence on and off the field,” Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones said on Monday.
"Whether it was charging in full throttle for another delivery, celebrating a wicket with unrestrained joy or being the personality of the dressing rooms, he was always imposing himself on the game.
"Finishing his career as ninth on the list of NSW first class wicket takers and playing all three forms of the game for Australia is a remarkable achievement given he did not play cricket until he was 15."
Bollinger who was used sparingly this season, played just three one day games, three Sheffield Shield games and two big bash matches for the Sydney Sixes, is grateful for his family and is excited for what the future holds.
"Now it’s time for the next stage of my life with my wife Tegan and my children Skye and Liam. I couldn’t have achieved everything I have without them."
