He became disillusioned with New Zealand cricket, especially when he was dumped from the contract list in 2007, but earned a recall to the test side in 2010 for one test against Australia.
He played his entire domestic career with Central Districts, winning eight domestic trophies.
"Having taken a few months since the end of last season to consider my options, I have decided that the timing is right to call time on my playing career,'' Sinclair said in a statement. "I have two young children and a wife who I want to spend more time with and the constant travel that the Stags endure each year makes that pretty tough.
"I am also at the stage where I want to get into a career outside of cricket and, unless you are in a position to totally devote yourself, it's difficult to get the opportunities that I am after.
"There are some really talented younger batsmen coming through for CD, so I feel it's the right time from the team's perspective as well.''
