The 39-year-old announced plans to retire last month and played his last game of professional cricket at the SCG on Thursday night, when the Brisbane Heat eliminated his Sydney Sixers in the penultimate game of the Big Bash finals.

In total, globetrotter Christian played 409 games of T20 cricket for 18 different teams in six different countries and represented Australia a total of 43 times in white-ball cricket.

Ahead of his final game, both teams gathered to honour Christian, who was then unable to mark the occasion with fireworks on a slow SCG wicket, getting bowled by Spencer Johnson for seven just as the Sixers' innings was beginning to go pear-shaped.

He wasn't given the chance to roll the arm over either but did catch Heat skipper Jimmy Peirson from the bowling of fellow veteran Steve O'Keefe

On announcing his retirement, Christian admitted his desire to train had waned this summer but after the loss to the Heat, said he had no intentions of leaving the game behind altogether.

"I'm definitely not lining up to do a nine to five job," he told reporters.

"I'll probably put my hand up somewhere and try to get a (coaching) gig somewhere."

Christian had a taste of coaching at last year's T20 World Cup, when he and former South Africa coach Gary Kirsten were the two marquee signings to the Netherlands' staff for the Australian-based tournament.

He said taking on leadership roles as a player had cemented his intentions to coach.

"I've really enjoyed being an older player and being able to help the younger guys in whatever way shape or form that I can, be it with tactics or with any kind of experience that I've had," Christian said.

"I suppose coaching's the exact same thing without the pressure of having to perform on the field."

Sixers captain Moises Henriques endorsed Christian's career aspirations but encouraged his former teammate to give himself time to relax in retirement first.

"He's going to be missed for sure but hopefully we can keep him involved in some capacity," Henriques said.

"He's the type of guy that whatever he tries to put his mind to, he should be okay.

"I just hope he enjoys the next chapter of his life and doesn't try to force it too quickly.

"He's been playing cricket for a long time so hopefully for him it's six months of golf somewhere, and just enjoy that, get his handicap even lower and then he can worry about working after that."

Australian Associated Press