Gough brings down curtain

Darren Gough’s first-class career is officially over after the retiring Yorkshire captain was left out of the county’s crucial LV County Championship Division One clash with Sussex.

Former England star Gough, 38, announced his intention to retire at the end of the current campaign earlier this season and, after being omitted from the side which travels to Hove, he has now played his final match at the top level.

He was on duty against Somerset last week at Scarborough, picking up 2-52 - including former Australia batsman Justin Langer - in what proved to be his last first-class innings.

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“I wasn’t disappointed because I picked the team!” Gough said.

“Some people said I should go for the romantic ending but it’s not about me, it’s about Yorkshire staying up.

“I really went back to the old times in my first spell against Somerset last week and anyone who seen it will know what I mean.

“That really took it out of me and I was struggling.”

Reflecting on his own future, Gough, who is likely to pursue a media career, distanced himself from joining Martyn Moxon’s coaching staff at Headingley Carnegie.

“It was very emotional for me coming off the other day thinking it could be my last game for Yorkshire,” he said.

“I would like to keep in touch with Yorkshire but I don’t think I’ll be a coach there, it’s not something I want to do but an ambassador’s role would be ideal.”

Gough, a veteran of 58 Tests and 159 one-day internationals, leaves the game with 855 first-class wickets in a career spanning two spells at his native Yorkshire and one stint with Essex.

Yorkshire, who have included an uncapped 19-year-old in Jonathan Bairstow in their squad, go into the match against the reigning county champions with their top-flight status under threat.