Former England captain Paul Collingwood to retire

LONDON: Former England all-rounder Paul Collingwood announced on Thursday that he will end his professional career at the end of the season, 22 years after making his firstclass debut.

A three-time Ashes winner and the only man to captain England to a global trophy after leading them to glory in the 2010 World Twenty20, Collingwood played 68 Tests, 197 one-day internationals and 36 T20 matches. Collingwood has scored 16,891 runs in firstclass cricket, including 4,259 in Tests, over the course of his 22-year career.

He retired from international cricket in 2011 and went on to lift the 2013 County Championship with Durham, before helping them to Royal London One-day Cup success the following year.

He also played in the Indian Premier League for Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals, and played and coached in the Australian Big Bash with Perth Scorchers. The 42-year-old has been described by his county side Durham as their "greatestever run scorer and most illustrious player".

"After much thought and deliberation I have decided to announce my retirement from cricket at the end of the current season," Collingwood said.

"I knew this day would eventually come but it hasn't made it any easier — although it's an emotional decision I know that the time is right and I'm comfortable knowing that I have given every last ounce of energy to the sport." Durham chairman Ian Botham said: "Paul is one of the greatest all-rounders to ever grace the game of cricket and to have him playing at Durham, his home county, for all these years has been an absolute privilege."