Glamorgan let Powell go

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Michael Powell has played his 15th and last season for Glamorgan, who have, meanwhile, offered new deals to Will Owen and Chris Cooke

Michael Powell, Glamorgan’s beneficiary this year, has been released after 15 seasons with the club.

News of the 34-year-old batsman’s departure came on the day that Will Owen and Chris Cooke signed new two-year contracts.

Powell scored a double century on his Glamorgan debut, aged 20, in 1997 and helped them win the County Championship the same year.

He also featured in the National League-winning sides of 2002 and 2004, and has amassed 12,461 first-class runs at 38.34 in 212 first-class games. This season saw him average just 32.14 in 12 championship matches.

Powell toured the UAE and Sri Lanka with England A in 2004/05, but his career was interrupted in 2007 when a blood clot in his shoulder forced him to have his rib removed, he suffered complications following surgery and was left fighting for his life. He recovered and the rib was buried in the outfield at the SWALEC Stadium.

Glamorgan managing director of cricket Colin Metson said: “It is always a sad day when a player leaves a club, but even more so when that player has been part of the fabric of the club for so long.

“Mike has been with Glamorgan Cricket since making his debut in 1997, and during that time made significant contributions towards our one-day trophy successes in the early 2000s as well as being very close to full England honours. We wish him well in the remainder of his benefit season and in his cricketing future.”

Meanwhile, 23-year-old fast bowler Owen and wicketkeeper-batsman Cooke, 25, have agreed new deals keeping them at the county until the end of the 2013 season.

Owen took 30 championship wickets at 34.70 this summer - and 52 in all competitions - while South Africa-born Cooke, though surplus to four-day requirements in his first season at the club, served notice of his talent with a handful of powerful one-day innings.

“Both Will and Chris have big futures ahead of them and I am delighted that they will be part of the club over the coming years,” added Metson.

“They have enjoyed good seasons in 2011, making breakthroughs into the first XI, and we all look forward to watching them develop and improve in 2012.”