<p>Struggling to maintain his family of four, former New Zealand Test batsman Matthew Sinclair retired from all forms of cricket at the age of 37 and applied for unemployment benefits.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 37-year-old Sinclair, who struck a double century on debut, said he couldn't support wife Tina, son Liam, 4, and daughter Holly, 3, on six months of cricket pay a year.<br /><br />The staff at the Central Districts, for whom Sinclair played, was shocked when the former Black Caps revealed to them his decision.<br /><br />This week Sinclair walked into Work and Income New Zealand in Napier to sign up for the unemployment benefit.<br /><br />"The reality is, this is what it's like," Sinclair told the Manawatu Evening Standard.<br /><br />The Work and Income said Sinclair, one of New Zealand's most prolific first-class batsmen with 36 centuries alone, might be able to work as a motivational speaker for those seeking work. <br /><br />"It has been quite a tough decision to make," Sinclair said. "I was very keen to go another season. I would only be 38. It has been very hard to look for some sort of meaningful employment."<br /><br />Sinclair is looking forward to a career in business, client or retail management, team-leading or motivational work.<br /><br />Sinclair could have played until he was about 40 but whenever he has applied for winter work, employers have known he would be around for only six months.<br /><br />"I had to make a conscious decision to give up the game to make myself more marketable," he said.<br /><br />Sinclair feels cricket doesn't provide a career, even in coaching. He sees coaches looking for work, New Zealand has only six first-class associations and he is reluctant to drag his family around the world.<br /><br />"I would rather get out on my own terms. I have never brought the game into disrepute and I can walk out with honesty and integrity."<br /><br />Sinclair struck a double century on his test debut against the West Indies in 1999, and 204 against Pakistan the following summer.<br /><br />"I have been a little mismanaged through my career," he said. "The many New Zealand team coaches came in with new ideas. I felt I had to change, whereas if I had played my natural game, it would have worked out better."</p>
<p>Struggling to maintain his family of four, former New Zealand Test batsman Matthew Sinclair retired from all forms of cricket at the age of 37 and applied for unemployment benefits.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 37-year-old Sinclair, who struck a double century on debut, said he couldn't support wife Tina, son Liam, 4, and daughter Holly, 3, on six months of cricket pay a year.<br /><br />The staff at the Central Districts, for whom Sinclair played, was shocked when the former Black Caps revealed to them his decision.<br /><br />This week Sinclair walked into Work and Income New Zealand in Napier to sign up for the unemployment benefit.<br /><br />"The reality is, this is what it's like," Sinclair told the Manawatu Evening Standard.<br /><br />The Work and Income said Sinclair, one of New Zealand's most prolific first-class batsmen with 36 centuries alone, might be able to work as a motivational speaker for those seeking work. <br /><br />"It has been quite a tough decision to make," Sinclair said. "I was very keen to go another season. I would only be 38. It has been very hard to look for some sort of meaningful employment."<br /><br />Sinclair is looking forward to a career in business, client or retail management, team-leading or motivational work.<br /><br />Sinclair could have played until he was about 40 but whenever he has applied for winter work, employers have known he would be around for only six months.<br /><br />"I had to make a conscious decision to give up the game to make myself more marketable," he said.<br /><br />Sinclair feels cricket doesn't provide a career, even in coaching. He sees coaches looking for work, New Zealand has only six first-class associations and he is reluctant to drag his family around the world.<br /><br />"I would rather get out on my own terms. I have never brought the game into disrepute and I can walk out with honesty and integrity."<br /><br />Sinclair struck a double century on his test debut against the West Indies in 1999, and 204 against Pakistan the following summer.<br /><br />"I have been a little mismanaged through my career," he said. "The many New Zealand team coaches came in with new ideas. I felt I had to change, whereas if I had played my natural game, it would have worked out better."</p>