| TAYLOR | Former Black Caps captain who announced he would retire from international cricket in 2022 (6) |
| CENA | John who announced that he would retire from wrestling at the end of 2025 |
| BRENDON | Former Black Caps captain (7,8) |
| MCCULLUM | Former Black Caps captain (7,8) |
| EVANS | Chris ---, DJ who in September announced he would be leaving the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Christmas Eve (5) |
| ANDREWSTRAUSS | Former England cricket captain who announced his retirement from cricket in 2012 after 100 Test appearances |
| KANE | Former New Zealand captain who announced his international cricket retirement. (First name) (4) |
| TOM | Former Black Caps T20I batsman, -- Bruce (3) |
| DEATHBED | The last place one would retire to |
| LILLEE | Australian fast bowler who was the world record holder for Test wickets on his retirement from international cricket in 1984 (6,6) |
| DENNIS | Australian fast bowler who was the world record holder for Test wickets on his retirement from international cricket in 1984 (6,6) |
| FERGAL | ___ Keane, Irish foreign correspondent who announced he was retiring from the BBC in 2026 (6) |
| DHAWAN | Name the dashing Indian southpaw who announced his retirement from international cricket recently? (6) |
| POORAN | Which West Indian white ball specialist recently announced a shocking retirement from international cricket? (6) |
| LATHAM | Tom ..., Black Caps captain (6) |
| EOIN | ___ Morgan British cricketer who announced his retirement from international cricket in June 2022 |
| DENNISLILLEE | Australian fast bowler who was the world record holder for Test wickets on his retirement from international cricket in 1984 (6,6) |
| ALISON | - - - Miller, Irish wing who retired from international rugby last March after 24 tries in 47 Tests (6) |
| ALI | Former England allrounder who retired from international cricket in September 2024 (5,3) |
| MOEEN | Former England allrounder who retired from international cricket in September 2024 (5,3) |
