Tavare announces retirement at end of summer

GLOUCESTERSHIRE batsman Will Tavare has announced his retirement from cricket at the end of the season.

The 29-year-old, who has played in 54 first-class games and eight List A matches over the course of his career.

Tavare, the nephew of former England international Chris, made 2,721 first-class runs at an average of 31.63, with six centuries and was a member of the victoriousroyal London One-day Cup side which beat Surrey in the final at Lord’s in 2015. He said: “Making my debut for Gloucestershire Youth at 11 never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would go on to play for the senior side at 16 and then make a hundred on my Championship debut.

“It was such an honour to captain a handful of games for such a historic club! I’ve been brought up with so many of my teammates and I will miss that changing room more than anything in the world.

“That victory at Lords alongside my best mates will be almost impossible to beat and singing Glorious Glosters in front of thousands of fans was the most special thing I’ve shared with such a loyal bunch.

“I’ve played with and against some of the best players in the world and managed to travel to all corners of the globe from stunning Sri Lanka to my second home in Melbourne thanks to this magical sport.

“But now is the right time to move on to the next stage of my life, but until the end of the summer there is still a lot to play for and I will give my everything these last few months to end on a high with Gloucestershire.”