Australia all-rounder announces retirement from BBL and domestic cricket, to play for 37th-ranked T20I team

Australia's experienced all-rounder Moises Henriques has announced his retirement from the Big Bash League (BBL) and the country's domestic cricket. Henriques retires at the most capped player in BBL and Australia's domestic cricket history. He helped Sydney Sixers win three BBL titles. He was also New South Wales' part in three One-Day Cup title wins.

39-year-old Henriques is now eligible to represent his birth country Portugal in the qualifiers for ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2028. He had retired from first-class cricket last year but continued to play One-Day cricket for New South Wales. His last appearance for Sydney Sixers was in the BBL 2025-26 final against Perth Scorchers where they lost.

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In his retirement statement, Henriques revealed that other BBL teams showed interest in roping him in for the upcoming season which will kick off in Chennai on December 12. However, he chose not to continue playing in the BBL.

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"I have been very fortunate to call cricket my job for the past 22 years as a professional athlete," Henriques said. "I had interest from other BBL teams, but it just didn't feel right to go elsewhere.

Sydney Sixers' general manager, Rachael Haynes, BBL general manager Alistair Dobson and NSW chairman John Knox expressed their gratitude to Henriques, a domestic cricket stalwart.

When will Moises Henriques make his Portugal T20I debut?

Henriques are yet to make his T20I debut for Portugal. He has represented Australia in 24 T20Is, scoring 355 runs including two half-centuries. He has seven wickets for Australia in the format as well.

He is expected to make his T20I debut for Portugal in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Sub Europe Qualifier C. Portugal will begin their campaign against Isreal in Vantaa on August 14.

Henriques in rare list

Henriques is yet to make his T20I debut for Portugal. He will join the rare list of Australian players to play international cricket for two countries. The most recent entrant to the list was Joe Burns who helped Italy qualify for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 but didn’t play in the marquee event.