Ireland leg-spinner Ben White has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the age of 28, bringing an end to his international career after representing his country across all three formats. White announced his decision in a post on LinkedIn, expressing gratitude to Cricket Ireland for giving him the opportunity to represent his country and fulfil his childhood dream.
The leg-spinner made his international debut in July 2021 and went on to play 43 international matches for Ireland. He played his last international match in December 2025 before deciding to step away from professional cricket.
White made his biggest contribution in T20 internationals, taking 36 wickets in 38 matches. He was also part of Ireland’s squads for three ICC Men’s T20 World Cups: the 2021 tournament in the United Arab Emirates, the 2024 edition in the United States and the 2026 event in Sri Lanka.
However, he featured in only three matches across the three tournaments. In the 50-over format, White played two One Day Internationals in 2023. He also represented Ireland in three Test matches that year, making his debut against Bangladesh, where he claimed three wickets.
However, his subsequent performances against Sri Lanka proved challenging. Ireland suffered innings defeats in both Tests, with White managing just one wicket while conceding 322 runs across the two matches. His limited experience in red-ball cricket, including having never played a first-class match before his Test debut, presented additional challenges in the longer format.
Reflecting on his career, White said representing Ireland across all three formats and participating in three T20 World Cup campaigns were experiences he would always remember with pride.
He thanked Cricket Ireland for helping him fulfil his childhood ambition and expressed appreciation for the memories, lessons and lifelong friendships he gained throughout his cricketing journey.
Ireland head coach Gary Wilson also paid tribute to the retiring spinner, highlighting his contribution to the team’s T20 setup. Wilson said White’s ability to generate bounce and bowl at pace made him a difficult bowler to face. He added that White’s selection in three T20 World Cup squads demonstrated the high regard in which he was held during his career. The Ireland coach said White should be proud of his achievements and the opportunities he had earned while representing his country on the international stage.
