Veteran all-rounder Rikki Clarke, who won two Test and 20 ODI caps for England, has announced that he will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2021 season.
Clarke, 39, went on to an illustrious county career winning three championship titles - with Surrey in 2002 and 2019, and with Warwickshire in 2012 - as well as the Pro 40 and Twenty20 Cup with Surrey, and the T20 Blast at Warwickshire and Royal London Cup. He also had a brief spell as captain of Derbyshire in 2008.
All 22 of Clarke's England caps came before reaching the age of 25, with his two Test appearances on the Bangladesh tour in late 2003, and his 20 ODI appearances spread over three years. Taking a wicket with his first ball in international cricket, as a 21-year-old he was fast-tracked in the international set-up, but his progress was quickly derailed by a slower than expected.
But he remains a stalwart of the county game in all three disciplines: he has scored 17,750 runs as a fluent middle-order strokemaker, took 587 catches - mainly at slips where he was a notoriously safe pair of hands - and 795. Took wickets. With your swing of medium speed. He will continue to play for Surrey this year in the Royal London Cup and the final leg of the championship, hopefully ending his testimonial year firmly before taking on King Edward's role as Witley's head of cricket.
"When I started out as a professional in 2000 I could only dream of the career that was to follow," Clarke said in a statement released by Surrey. "One of my special highlights will always be my ODI and Test debuts in 2003. Representing my country 22 times is never to be taken away and memories that I will look back on with great pride. Surely I would have loved to play more, But it was not meant to be.
"I've played with and against some amazing cricketers in my 22 seasons and some of them have been friends for a lifetime. For Surrey and Warwickshire, I thank you for the wonderful time and success I've had wearing your badges Was able to experience. I feel very fortunate to be part of successful teams two or three times and win all domestic trophies. For Derbyshire, I thank you for the opportunity to captain a wonderful county and I only Just wish things could have been different.
"I hope I will be remembered as someone who was honest and played the game the right way. Playing it hard, but always drinking beer regardless of the outcome. From the age of 9 when I joined Surrey Youth We started with our old days together. Between the rage and the groan there will always be someone who cares about the game, loves the game and always stands up for his teammates."
Surrey's director of cricket Alec Stewart said: "He should be very proud of his outstanding service to the county game as well as having earned 22 international caps. There is no greater honor than to represent your country and we at Surrey are delighted to be able to help them fulfill those ambitions in their careers.
“I first met Ricci when I awarded him the Player of the Course pennant as a nine-year-old at a 10-week Nescafe training course with Surrey. Years later, as I reached the end, that brief I became a teammate of mine. During my playing days and his talent was evident to everyone in that dressing room.
“When I had the opportunity to bring him back to the Kia Oval in 2017, I did not hesitate. It proved to be an excellent move as he has been an integral part of the first team squad both on and off the field. Over the years, 2018 Including his outstanding performance in a championship winning season.
"Thank you Ricky for all your efforts to add to the history of this great club and I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. You will always be welcome at Kia Oval."