Decorated Sydney Sixers captain not offered a new contract and announces retirement from Australian cricket
‘I belonged’: Henriques reflects on cricket’s impact after time announced
Moises Henriques, the most capped cricketer in Australian history, today announced his retirement from the New South Wales and Sydney Sixers.
After retiring from his 131-game first-class career over a year ago, Henriques played five matches during the Blues’ triumphant One-Day Cup campaign last season and led the Sixers to the BBL|15 final.
The 39-year-old was not offered a contract for the upcoming KFC BBL|16 season and underwent back surgery in February.
“I had interest from other BBL teams, but it didn’t feel right to go anywhere else,” Henriques said.
Henriques lifts the BBL|09 trophy with Steve O’Keefe after beating the Stars at the SCG // Getty
“After some reflection, I have decided it is time to take stock of my BBL career and commitments to play in New South Wales… and begin to look forward to the next chapter of my life.
“I have been very lucky to have cricket as my job for the last 22 years as a professional athlete.
“To the people I have had the pleasure of playing and working with, I would like to thank you. If it weren’t for these relationships and the deep care I have for them, I am confident that I would have reached this day much sooner.”
Henriques’ contribution to the game will continue in his role as Director of the New South Wales Cricket Foundation, a position he has held since late 2025.
Henriques, who migrated from Portugal to Australia as a child, signed his first contract with NSW aged 17 in 2004.
If you don’t know me: Moises Henriques
He leaves having won 14 major trophies with the New South Wales cricket teams and also represented Australia in all three formats, earning the Baggie Green men’s cap number 432 in 2013.
While the decision marks the end of his Australian domestic career, which began with his one-day debut at Wangaratta in 2006, Henriques will turn out for his native Portugal next month in the European qualifiers for the 2028 T20 World Cup.
He will also remain available for overseas leagues and will represent Glasgow Cosmic in the new six-team European T20 competition starting in August.
“Over 22 years, the motivation or the ‘why’ can waver,” Enriquez reflected.
“The one thing that never wavered was that the fans and supporters gave me a sense of purpose or a feeling that I could make a positive impact on someone’s day.
“What I will miss is that instant feedback you get when you hit a boundary, take a wicket or catch a ball and hear all the fans light up and the stadium follow you and the team – it’s a really exciting feeling.”
With 420 appearances (110 first-class, 112 List A and 198 T20) for New South Wales and the Sixers across all formats, the all-rounder has become Australia’s highest capped national team player.
Henriques puts New South Wales on their backs with a magnificent century
Henriques played all 15 BBL seasons for the Sixers and currently holds the men’s tournament record with 154 appearances, including an unprecedented 129 as captain.
He is a three-time BBL champion, leading the team to successive titles in BBL|09 and |10, and he was man of the match with 70 off 41 balls to help the Sixers win their first title in BBL|01.
Henriques became the club’s all-time leading run-scorer with 3,410 runs, along with 30 wickets and 72 catches. He also won the 2012–13 Champions League with the Sixers.
Enriquez’s quick 76-nil goal gave the Sixers their highest ever score
General manager Rachel Haynes said Henriques was “one of the most influential figures in the history of the Sydney Sixers and the BBL”.
“His leadership, integrity and dedication have built the club into what it is today,” she added.
Henriques also represented New South Wales 38 times in the T20 format prior to the creation of the BBL and was part of the Blues in the 2008–09 Twenty20 Big Bash and the 2009–10 Champions League.
He made his T20I debut against New Zealand in his hometown in 2009, followed by his ODI appearance against India in Delhi later that year. His Test debut also came four years later against India in Chennai, impressing with 68 and 81 for the loss of eight wickets.
Henriques’ international career spanned over a decade, with the last of his 44 caps for Australia (four Tests, 16 ODIs and 24 T20Is) coming in 2021.
“When I was a teenager and went to school, I didn’t speak English very well and had a weird name, so I didn’t really fit in,” Enriquez recalls.
Triple treat for crafty Henriques in first T20I
“I was teased quite a bit and it wasn’t until my confidence grew through sport and in particular cricket and the camaraderie that cricket brings that I started to feel confident enough socially at school to fit into what you would call Australian culture.
“I’m very lucky that cricket has given me the opportunity to feel part of the community.”
Following Henriques’ exit, the Sixers are forced to look for a new men’s team captain for the first time in four years, having not missed a match since BBL|11.
NSW captain Jack Edwards looks like the obvious candidate, while Tasmania captain Jordan Silk also remains on their list.