Graeme Swann retires from cricket during Ashes series

Graeme Swann has announced his immediate retirement from international and first-class cricket, ruling himself out of the rest of England’s Ashes tour in Australia.

The 34-year-old, who took 255 wickets in 60 Tests – the sixth highest tally for England, will remain in Australia with his family for the remainder of the series.

Swann took 17 five-wicket hauls throughout his Test career and claimed 10 wickets in a match three times against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and most recently New Zealand earlier this year.

“This decision has been very difficult seeing as the England team has been my family for seven years now, but I feel that now is the right time to step down,” said Swann.

“I don’t regret a single day of my career. Every high has been celebrated with verve and vigour and every low painfully accepted as a chance to learn and improve.

“My personal highlights include the three Ashes victories, of which I will cherish for the rest of my life, and the World T20 victory in the West Indies which ranks as my limited overs highlight.

I’d like to thank all my England team mates for their non-stop support and camaraderie and of course wish Andy Flower and Alastair Cook all the success in the world

Graeme Swann

“I have met, played with and against, and become friends with some magnificent people throughout my journey and feel truly privileged to have been given these opportunities.

“I’d also like to pay tribute to both Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for giving me my grounding in the game and Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club for turning me into the cricketer I wanted to be. Two Championship titles and my maiden one day final victory with the Outlaws are also achievements of which I am immensely proud.”

Swann claimed 104 wickets over the course of his career and in 2011 was the number one ranked ODI bowler. He was a key member of England’s T20 squad since making his debut in 2008 against New Zealand, helping England to the ICC World T20 title in 2010 and captaining the side three times in 2011.

“With two games to go in Australia and then a fiercely competitive summer against Sri Lanka and India I feel that it is a great time for someone else to strap themselves in and hopefully enjoy the ride as much as I have,” he continued.

“Finally I’d like to thank all my England team mates for their non-stop support and camaraderie and of course wish Andy Flower and Alastair Cook all the success in the world for the future. First and foremost I am a fervent England fan at heart.”

England team director Andy Flower added: “Graeme Swann has made an outstanding contribution to the England cricket team in all formats throughout an incredibly successful career and I would like to congratulate him on all that he has achieved.

“His commitment, competitive spirit and sense of humour have been recognised and admired by team mates and supporters alike and he has played a big part in England’s success over the last five years.

“The dressing room will be a very different place without Graeme’s unique personality and I would like to wish him all the very best for the future.”