McGrath announces retirement

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Yorkshire and former England batsman Anthony McGrath has retired from all cricket at the age of 37.

McGrath, who represented England in four Tests and 14 one-day internationals between 2003 and 2004, spent his entire professional career at Headingley following his debut in 1995.

He averaged 37 across 257 first-class appearances, with the aid of 35 hundreds, and also proved a handy performer with the ball, picking up 240 wickets in all forms with his medium-pace.

In 2012, he contributed 648 runs at 47 to help Yorkshire gain promotion from Division Two of the LV= County Championship. However, he has now been forced to hang up his boots after failing to recover from a thumb injury he suffered at the end of the campaign.

Anthony McGrath has brought his distinguished professional career to an end at the age of 37. Yorkshire director of cricket Martyn Moxon said: "He is the perfect role model for any aspiring junior."

“It has been an honour and a privilege to have represented Yorkshire throughout my professional career,” said McGrath.

“I have been involved with this great club every summer since I was 12 and it is going to be difficult not having the opportunity to play again.

“I would like to thank the club, the members and all the coaches for their help throughout my career. Above all else, my last word goes to my team-mates, who I have shared the greatest of times with over the past 20 years. I have met some great people that have become my closest of friends.”

Martyn Moxon, Yorkshire’s director of cricket and a former team-mate of McGrath, led the tributes to the Bradford-born veteran.

“It has been a privilege to play with and coach Anthony,” said Moxon.

“He has given every ounce of blood, sweat and tears to the county and his role within the dressing room will be sadly missed.

“He is the perfect role model for any aspiring junior wanting to be the best they can be. The way he inspires those around him is his distinct quality. I would like to wish him well in the future and hope that he will continue his connection to the club through his coach education qualifications and programme.”

Yorkshire executive chairman Colin Graves described McGrath as “a wonderful ambassador for Yorkshire cricket off the field as well as on it,” while club captain Andrew Gale added: “The biggest thing I will miss will be his presence in the dressing room."

Gale continued: “He was a great pro, who had an infectious personality that always brought the best out of the other players in the team. He will be missed by everyone connected with the team.”

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