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“At the moment I’m saying my retirement and the tip of my profession as an expert cricketer,” Prepare dinner mentioned in a press release on the Essex web site.
“It’s not simple to say goodbye. For greater than 20 years, cricket has been a lot greater than my job. It has allowed me to expertise locations I by no means dreamed I might go, be a part of groups which have achieved issues I might by no means have thought doable and, most significantly, created deep friendships that can final a lifetime.
“From the eight-year-old boy who first performed for Wickham Bishops Underneath 11s to now, I finish with an odd feeling of disappointment blended with pleasure. Though above all, I’m extremely glad.
“It’s the proper time for this a part of my life to come back to an finish. I’ve at all times given completely the whole lot I probably should be the perfect participant I may very well be, however now I need to make approach for the brand new technology to take over.”
Prepare dinner, who made his Essex debut in 2003, stepped away from Check cricket on the finish of the 2018 summer season, having scored greater than 12,000 Check runs for his nation. He first performed for England on the tour of India in 2005-06 and he went on to be capped 161 occasions in Checks – captaining in 59 of them – in addition to main the ODI aspect.
After bowing out with 100 in opposition to India at The Oval, Prepare dinner continued to play for his residence county for 5 extra seasons, serving to the membership to elevate the Division One title in 2019, in addition to the Bob Willis Trophy the next 12 months. His type remained spectacular, with nearly 1000 first-class runs in 2022 and 836 this summer season – albeit his common dipped to 33.44 and there was just one hundred, taking his first-class tally to 74.
His remaining look got here within the defeat to Northamptonshire at Wantage Highway final month, as Essex’s hopes of beating Surrey to the title have been lastly dashed.
“I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Essex, the county I joined after I was aged 12,” Prepare dinner added. “I need to say an enormous thanks to everybody at Chelmsford for the whole lot you’ve given to me. The entire followers, members and employees have at all times been so supportive, affected person and beneficiant.
“After I ended my worldwide profession, I had no concept that I might have 5 extra bonus years enjoying for Essex. I can’t put into phrases simply how a lot enjoyable we’ve got had throughout that point. For that I need to thank head coach Anthony McGrath, Ryan ten Doeschate and Tom Westley, my two captains throughout that point, and the entire gamers. I will not miss strapping on my pads and dealing with the brand new ball, however I’ll miss being within the Eagles’ altering room.
“Taking part in a full half within the season when Essex gained the County Championship in 2019 is one among my favorite achievements within the sport. I look ahead to watching Essex proceed to punch above their weight, hopefully successful many extra trophies within the coming years.
“There are such a lot of folks I need to thank, too many to say. Nonetheless, none of this might have been doable with out Graham Gooch. As a seven-year-old boy, Goochie was my hero. He grew to become my coach, mentor and, above all, an amazing buddy. I dread to think about the variety of hours he has given as much as assist me grow to be the perfect participant I may very well be.”
General, Prepare dinner scored greater than 26,000 first-class runs throughout his skilled profession – 11,337 of them for Essex – in addition to one other 7500 in limited-overs cricket.
Lately, he has mixed enjoying for Essex with working within the media, notably for the BBC as a Check Match Particular summariser, and contributing again residence on the household farm.
“Though my England profession got here to an finish in 2018, I stay blown away by the quantity of affection I obtain from England supporters,” he mentioned. “Wherever I’ve travelled, you’ve been there together with your enthusiasm, type phrases and unshakable perception. English cricket actually does have the perfect followers on this planet.
“I’ll by no means underestimate the privilege I’ve needed to play cricket. I’ll at all times be pleased about what the sport has given to me. Now, I hope the Bedfordshire Farmers will discover house for a has-been ‘allrounder’ someplace of their decrease order.”
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