Botha and Tahir set for Warwickshire exit

Left-arm spinner Ant Botha has been forced to retire from first-class cricket after surgery failed to cure a long-standing elbow injury

Warwickshire have announced that spin bowling all-rounder Ant Botha and paceman Naqaash Tahir will be leaving the club at the end of the season.

South African Botha, who has featured regularly for the first XI following his arrival from Derbyshire in 2007, has been forced to retire from first-class cricket due to a long-standing elbow problem.

Medical advisors have confirmed his condition is unlikely to improve despite surgery.

Warwickshire director of cricket Ashley Giles said: “We are desperately sorry to see Ant forced out of the first-class game under these circumstances, as he has played an important part in our success over the past four years.

“Obviously there comes a point when it is no longer possible to continue to battle through the pain, and we understand how difficult this has been for him.

"We wish him well in the future and would like to record our thanks for the work he has put in for Warwickshire."

Tahir, meanwhile, is being released after almost 11 years at Edgbaston, having failed to establish himself as a first-team player.

Giles added: “Naaqash has been with us for many seasons since joining the squad as a young player via the development system at Edgbaston, and it is sad to see him leave the club, but he has struggled to maintain a regular place in the side throughout this period. We wish Naqaash best wishes for his future in the game.”