Di Venuto calls time on county career

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Veteran Durham batsman Michael Di Venuto has announced his retirement from county cricket with immediate effect.

The 38-year-old Tasmanian, capped nine times by Australia in one-day internationals, moved to the Emirates Durham ICG in 2007 and starred in back-to-back LV= County Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2009.

The latter season proved to be Di Venuto’s high watermark in the north east as he plundered attacks across the county for 1,601 runs at 80.05, including double centuries against Sussex and Nottinghamshire.

Michael Di Venuto, who claimed back-to-back LV= County Championship titles with Durham in 2008 and 2009, has called time on his county career

Di Venuto, who also played for Derbyshire, sees a future for himself in limited-overs cricket but concedes a decorated 20-year career has taken its toll on his capacity to perform in the longer form.

"My body won't allow me to prepare and play the way I want," he said in a statement released by Durham. "I set high standards for myself and if I was to continue playing then it would be below these standards.

"While I still have some quality short form cricket in me, the day, in day out nature of first-class cricket I physically can't do anymore.

"My time at Durham has been incredible. To play with a great bunch of blokes in some history-making teams is something that I will cherish and look back on fondly."

Durham head coach Geoff Cook said: "Michael has been a prolific run-scorer for the club during his time here and is a much respected player who will be greatly missed.

"He has proved to be a real inspiration on the field and the knowledge and guidance he has shared with our squad, especially the batsmen, has encouraged growth within the side.

"Michael should be incredibly proud of his time here at Durham and we wish him all the very best with his future endeavours."

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