OJ Pitcher, the former St George’s captain, has officially called time on his Cup Match career.

The 43-year-old all-rounder feels the time is right to bow out of the two-day classic and is grateful to have had the privilege to showcase his talents on the big stage.

“There won’t be a comeback; that’s it as far as Cup Match is concerned for me from a playing perspective,” Pitcher told The Royal Gazette.

“I am at a stage in life where there are responsibilities that come with age. I am a married man with two children and also have a major responsibility at my job.

“I thank St George’s Cricket Club, the community, the players, the coaching staff and everybody that have played a part in my Cup Match career.”

Pitcher compiled 630 runs in 22 innings at an average of 28.64 and high score of 115 between 1999 and 2022.

He is ranked twelfth on St George’s all-time list in Cup Match and in 2006 was chosen as the most valuable player after stroking 98 and establishing a new partnership record for the fifth wicket (168) with Charlie Marshall in the East Enders’ seven-wicket victory at Somerset Cricket Club.

Pitcher lost his spot in the St George’s team in 2023 after being ruled out with a rib injury, the latest of a string of issues that included shoulder and knee problems which prevented him from playing in the summer spectacle.

“I’ve definitely had a fair share of highs and lows in Cup Match over the years,” Pitcher said.

“Getting my first hundred in Cup Match back in 2014 after being out twice in the nineties was definitely a high. The first year was 2006 when I got 98 up in Somerset, which was an extremely rewarding year for me for a few reasons ― the year before I wasn’t selected for the team for Cup Match. I was selected in 2006, got the 98, set a fifth-wicket record partnership with Charlie Marshall and the team won the match, so that was definitely a special year.

“Then the very next year down in St George’s I got out on 94, so to be able to finally get that hundred in Cup Match in 2014 was extra special. My mother had passed a few years before that and some of her last words were ‘get that hundred in Cup Match’ because she had seen me so close on two occasions. To be able to do that in her honour and memory was super special.

“To be appointed as captain in 2015 of an event with such historical meaning and value to us as Bermudians was definitely an honour. Unfortunately we lost the match so that is something I would rather forget. It was very disappointing for that to happen but that’s cricket and is all a part of the game.

“I have been able to experience both sides of Cup Match and it has been a blessing to be a part of those experiences; learning experiences which helped me to grow not just as a cricketer but as a person. Even getting into coaching and just giving me that experience to where now I can pass on to the next generation in hopes of them being better.”

While his Cup Match career is now behind him, Pitcher will continue playing for club side St David’s.

“I’m still involved at my club in the 50 overs league and then obviously we have the Eastern Counties in which we play the final round, so that’s something I am working towards,” he said.

“There is a milestone that I am looking to achieve before officially calling it quits when it comes to playing and that’s the 33 runs that I need to join that elite 1,000 run club in the Eastern Counties. Only a handful of players have ever done that so that’s definitely on my radar.

“I can’t get that close and call it quits without getting that milestone. It would mean so much, not just to me and my family, but also the community. We are a cricketing community that has taken a lot of licks over the years as far as the loss of players.

“I’ve seen a lot take place in my career when it comes to the St David’s homegrown players that came through the junior ranks. It’s been tough so it would mean a lot to the community and definitely would be dedicated to all of those we have lost.

“It holds a special place in my heart and everybody knows that I am a born and bred diehard St David’s islander, so it’s a blessing to even be in this situation and be so close to being part of an historical event like the Eastern Counties and achieving a milestone.”