Scott Styris retires from Tests

New Zealand's fragile batting order was left with even less depth with Scott Styris announcing his retirement from Tests and first-class cricket. Styris was dropped from the Test side for last month's series against Bangladesh and he said he was resigned to remaining on the fringes for the upcoming England games.

Styris said he wanted to quit playing Tests in a bid to prolong his ODI and Twenty20 career. "The rigours of international cricket have become increasingly demanding and I would like to extend my career by focusing on shorter versions of the game," he said. "I am really enjoying both one-day and Twenty20 cricket and I'm looking forward to being heavily involved with the New Zealand national team on our journey to the World Cup in 2011."

Styris' retirement leaves New Zealand with several changes to their Test line-up compared to 13 months ago. Shane Bond has joined the Indian Cricket League (ICL) and Nathan Astle quit at the start of 2007, while Craig McMillan and Hamish Marshall, neither of whom were certainties in the Test team, have also walked away.

Injuries, including back problems, have been a constant concern for Styris in recent years. "I have found the niggles and injuries associated with the longer form of the game were making it difficult for me to get on to the park.

"The decision has been coming for a few months and I have been in regular contact with the selectors in relation to this decision." In his 29 Tests Styris scored 1586 runs at 36.04, including five centuries.

New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan said Styris had the full support of the New Zealand board in making his decision. "Scott has a lot to offer in the shorter versions of the game and I am certain that this decision will help Scott to be available for the national team for several years to come." Styris was New Zealand's leading run-scorer in ODIs in 2007, making 848 runs at 56.53.