Wellington: New Zealand’s Chris Cairns announced his retirement from all international cricket on Monday, putting an end to a stellar career spanning 15 years as one of his country’s finest allrounders.

Cairns, who notched a world record 87 Test-match sixes and is one of very few batsmen to average more than one six per Test, said his last match will be a Twenty20 encounter against the West Indies in Auckland next month.

“I feel that the time is right for me to retire from international cricket,” said Cairns, the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2000.

“I still enjoy playing for the Black Caps and want to leave at a time when that enjoyment has not diminished, and when I feel that I am still performing at the top level and contributing to the success of the team.”