Snape announces retirement
Jeremy Snape lifts the Twenty20 Cup aloft in 2006
Former England off-spinner Jeremy Snape has announced he will retire from county cricket next week.
The 35-year-old will play his final match for Leicestershire on Tuesday in the Twenty20 Cup against Nottinghamshire at Grace Road.
Snape joined Leicestershire from Gloucestershire for the 2003 season and was instrumental in winning the Twenty20 Cup in 2004 and 2006, captaining the side in their second triumph. He is currently enjoying a testimonial year playing only in one-day cricket for the Foxes.
He began his professional career with Northamptonshire in 1992 before joining Gloucestershire for the 1999 campaign, helping his new county to victories in Lord’s finals that year and the next.
Snape was man-of-the-match on his one-day international debut against Zimbabwe in Harare in 2001 and went on to play in nine further ODIs and one Twenty20 International for England.
He was called up by England's management team during the 2007 World Cup as a mental preparation coach, and featured as a player in the ICC World Twenty20 in South Africa later that year.
Snape said: "I have been very fortunate to play cricket for nearly 20 years and have some very special memories, including eight domestic trophies wins. In retiring now, Leicestershire have an opportunity to develop some younger players in the exciting Twenty20 format.
“Cricket has provided me with many wonderful experiences and friendships and looking to the future, I can start to explore new opportunities with my sport and business coaching consultancy Sporting Edge."
Senior coach Tim Boon added: "On behalf of the players and members at Grace Road, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Jeremy for his contribution towards the clubs one-day success, and in particular in the two Twenty20 Cup wins that were achieved in 2004 and 2006.
Club captain Paul Nixon said:. “Jeremy has been an excellent servant and has been an instrumental part of bringing one-day success to the cricket club and we wish him well for the future.”
Chief Executive David Smith added: "Jeremy recently returned from a successful campaign as performance coach in the IPL with the victorious Rajasthan Royals and as ever has been a committed member of the Leicestershire team this summer."
