Veteran Black Caps spinner Daniel Vettori has confirmed his retirement from all international cricket.

Vettori spoke about his decision to a big media contingent, on hand alongside a crowd of well-wishers that turned out at Auckland International Airport on Tuesday to welcome home the beaten Cricket World Cup finalists.

Vettori returned from a lengthy injury break to play at the World Cup, but wanted to spend more time with his young family and focus on Twenty20 coaching commitments.

“It was my last game for New Zealand, in the final, so it was a lovely way to finish,” he said.

“It would’ve been great to win, but I’m pretty proud of everyone, the way we’ve gone about things the last six weeks.”

Vettori said he was particularly grateful for the support he had received from Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson.

“To be able to get back from a number of injuries and to be here and to be part of it, and to hopefully be a big contributing factor to us making that final, is something I’ll always treasure.”

He was hopeful the Black Caps had brought a new legion of fans into cricket with their style of play.

“That’s hopefully the legacy of this World Cup – between 1992 and this one, there’s some lasting memories for everyone.

“Hopefully some people have fallen in love with cricket, or fallen back in love with it. We’ve had so much support the whole way round, the guys have fed off that a lot. They’ve really enjoyed every aspect of it.”

Around 200 fans, some clad in replica strips and some waving flags, broke into cheers as the players and support staff made their way into the arrivals hall.

The team were the first New Zealand side to make the final of the tournament and were undefeated in the co-hosted event until they were beaten by seven wickets in Sunday’s one-sided contest against Australia.

Fans will get another chance to hail their efforts later on Tuesday when they are officially welcomed home at The Cloud on Auckland’s Queens Wharf.