Gough Retires From Test Cricket

England fast bowler Darren Gough has announced his immediate retirement from Test cricket after admitting his 32-year-old body, which has endured three operations in the last two years, "was in bits".

Gough, who made his Test match debut in 1994 and finished with 229 wickets, returned to the England Test side this summer after almost two years out with a knee injury but today decided to cut short his comeback after only two matches.

"I've come to a decision to retire from Test match cricket due to the injury sustained playing for England in New Zealand and - three operations later - to the subsequent rehab to get back to Test match cricket to prove myself and to other people that I could give Test cricket a go one more time," Gough said today.

"Every day is a hard one, and my career is based on being a strike bowler and being the one the captain always turned to in time of need.

"But I've found the last two matches hard going both mentally and physically - not just on playing days but also against the backdrop of the effort I've put in over the last eight months to get back to this stage.

"It has become apparent to me, no matter what my heart, head or public want me to do, that my knee will not allow me to play Test Match cricket.

However Gough, who is in eighth place on the all-time England wicket-takers' list, will still be available to represent the England one-day team.

"Obviously I'm sad, but I think every player knows when it's time to step down," the 32-year-old added. "I hope I've served England well. But as you look around there are some very good bowlers all waiting for a chance, and good luck to them. I'm a cricket supporter and I will be supporting them."

Gough was recalled to the England Test squad earlier this year after a series of successful performances in the NatWest Series.

But despite battling back from serious injury, the demands of Test cricket appear to have been too much for him this summer with South Africa's batsmen rarely troubled at Edgbaston or Lord's. He added just one wicket to the 228 he had accrued before the end of 2001 at a cost of 215 runs.

England chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "We respect Darren's decision to step down from Test match cricket. He has been a brilliant talisman for the English team over the past decade.

"It has been unfortunate that his career has been blighted by injury and I am sure he would have moved higher up the all-time England wicket-taking list if he hadn't been so unlucky.

"He has always given nothing less than 100% for his team and I am sure that he will be missed, but hopefully his form and fitness will still allow him to make a contribution to English cricket by continuing the outstanding form he has shown this summer in the one-day squad."

The Barnsley-born player made his debut against New Zealand in 1994 and immediately impressed with his pace and - albeit briefly - with his hard-hitting batting ability.

He went on to establish himself as England's leading strike bowler and enjoyed a successful period in tandem with Andy Caddick under the captaincy of Nasser Hussain.

Gough was man of the series as England beat the West Indies in the summer of 2000 and played a key role in the victories in Pakistan and Sri Lanka the following winter.

He decided to pull out of the India tour of 2001-02 for personal reasons but his absence from the team proved longer than he expected.

He incurred a serious knee injury and suffered continual setbacks in his efforts to recover his fitness. His selection for last winter's Ashes series proved an embarrassment for England on a tour plagued by injuries and he returned home without playing a match.

Many thought his career was over then but he refused to concede defeat and fought his way back this season. The spark however has been lacking and, as one of a number of players whose place was under scrutiny, he has decided to step away now.