NSW cricketer Ryan Carters announces retirement at 26!

Ryan Carters, the New South Wales wicketkeeper-batsman, has called time on his cricket career in order to focus on studying and the 'Batting for Change' charity he founded.

Carters is leaving the game aged just 26, having notched up 2,515 first-class run in a 43 matches he played that included five centuries and a Sheffield Shield title.

Announcing his shock retirement from all forms of cricket, Carters said that he is grateful for the support that he had received from Cricket NSW, while adding that he is now looking forward to pursue new kinds of challenges.

"In Australia, as in many other countries, professional sportspeople have a reach and reputation, an ability to influence, which is far outside the boundaries of their sporting achievements. I've never been more grateful for that than when I founded Batting for Change and watched it grow and directly transform the lives of disadvantaged young women in need of higher education," ESPNcricinfo quoted Carters as saying.

"I'm extremely grateful for the support of Cricket NSW since I started at the Blues in 2013 - it has been a wonderful place to play cricket," he said. "However, I'm now ready to pursue new kinds of challenges," he added.

Carters further said that after spending more than a decade of concentrating on his on-field activities, he was keen to switch his focus to his other passions.

"I've had twin passions in my life since I can remember - cricket and learning. I'm at the point where, after eight rewarding years of professional cricket, it's time for me to follow the other path I've always felt as strongly about," the NSW wicketkeeper-batsman said.

Carters appeared in three Matador Cup games, four Shield matches before Christmas, and one Big Bash League (BBL) game for the Sydney Sixers last summer before appearing in the New South Wales second XI.

Carters, who played 11 first-class games for the Bushrangers before moving to NSW for the remainder of his career, has also appeared in 22 one-day games with an average of 31.36 and 35 T20 matches.