Giles announces his retirement

Ashley Giles has announced his retirement from all cricket on the advice of his surgeon due to his constant hip problems since 2006.

Giles played 54 Tests and 62 one-day internationals and made his debut in 1997 against Australia at The Oval.

A statement Giles released to the England and Wales Cricket Board said “Following guidance from my hip surgeon, Dr Marc Philippon, I am very sorry to announce that I am retiring from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.”

Giles went onto say “I had hoped to make a full recovery and return to playing over the next few months but the advice I have received means that there is no chance of me returning to cricket at any level.”

“I would have liked to have left cricket at the very top still playing the game that I have always loved and whether it be on the village green or Test arena.”

“But I have no regrets. I will always have great memories of being part of a fantastic Warwickshire and England dressing room.”

“It has been a huge honour to play for my country and to play a part in one of the most successful periods in its cricketing history. I dreamt of playing cricket for England and winning the Ashes as a child and so to be part of that magical summer of 2005 was truly a dream realised.”

“Cricket has been my job, my joy, my life. We must cherish the game and respect it at all levels. I have always tried to do so. I hope I have been good to the game because it has been very good to me.”

“I finish by thanking Warwickshire and England for giving me such great support during difficult periods of injury and rehabilitation. I wish both teams great success in the coming years.”

England captain Michael Vaughan had the following to say on his retirement “Ashley’s retirement is very sad news and everyone in the England dressing room will miss his professionalism and, of course, his sense of humour.”

Vaughan went onto say “In my view, Ashley has to be one of the most underrated cricketers ever to pull on an England shirt. He was a key member of the England Test side which won six successive Test series and I know how much his teammates valued his contributions to our success.”

Giles is set to pursue a career in the media.