End of the road for Spearman

Craig Spearman reverse-sweeps against Yorkshire in the 2004 C&G Trophy semi-final, a competition Gloucestershire won

Gloucestershire have announced that Craig Spearman, their highly-successful opening batsman, has left the club today.

Spearman, 37, the former New Zealand batsman, had signed a four-year contract to the end of 2010, but will depart a year ahead of schedule having lost his place in the first team in 2009.

Spearman scored six half-centuries in all forms of cricket last season, but saw his opening berth go to Will Porterfield, Kadeer Ali and Rob Woodman.

Spearman said: “I have had an immensely enjoyable eight years at Gloucestershire and I would like to thank my colleagues and the members for their wonderful support over the years. I will miss the club and wish them every success for the future.”

Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said: “Craig has been an outstanding servant over a number of years for Gloucestershire.

“Capturing a number of record-breaking performances will place him high in the status of great Gloucestershire batsmen and his experience will be missed. We wish Craig all the best as he pursues other endeavours.”

Spearman played 19 Tests and 51 one-day internationals between 1995 and 2001, scoring a single Test century against Zimbabwe at Auckland in 1996.

In 2002, during his first spell as coach, John Bracewell persuaded Spearman to play for Gloucestershire after he had given up on his international career to pursue a career in banking. He qualified as a homegrown player thanks to his Welsh mother.

Spearman still holds the record score for a Gloucestershire player in first-class cricket. He made 341 against Middlesex at the Gloucester Festival in 2004, surpassing WG Grace’s 128-year record. Grace had scored 318 not out versus Yorkshire at Cheltenham in 1876.

Spearman also made 70 in the 2004 Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy final, as Gloucestershire beat Worcestershire at Lord's.