10 players who should retire from ODIs to make way for youngsters

Ascertaining the time when one should retire is always tricky in international sport. Sportsmen very often encounter a schizophrenic divide between the mind and the body - even when one wants to play on for his side for a few more years, it is often sad to understand that his body does not permit him to do so.Very few sportsmen are able to accept this harsh reality and forcefully try to prolong their careers leading to a slump in form. Very few understand their bodies well and can leave the sport on a high. It is not a question of age always - very often in team sports, decisions have to be taken keeping in mind the long term vision of a team and individuals who do not fit the bill have to be axed unceremoniously.It is always better to bow out on a high before one is axed for a slump in form. The retirement of Sangakkara for instance even when he was the second highest run-getter in the 2015 World Cup is one of those rare examples of a sportsman retiring on a high. At the same time, quite a few players who we expected would retire after the World Cup have surprisingly decided to play on. Let us have a look at ten players who should retire from ODIs now to make way for youngsters. 

#10 Ed Joyce

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Ed Joyce has had a rather illustrious career and with a batting average of 34.53 remains one of the star batsmen that Ireland has ever produced. The stylish southpaw who played for England from 2006 to 2010, went back to represent his native country and has been playing for Ireland since then.

With the rather disappointing decision taken by the ICC to have only ten teams in the 2019 World Cup, Joyce concedes that it will be difficult for Ireland to qualify and his dream of playing in another World Cup might well be over. His decision to retire from ODIs to concentrate only on country cricket seems to be just a matter of time now.