Rob Key retires from cricket with immediate effect
Wednesday 20 April 2016 14:22, UK
Former Kent captain Rob Key has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.
Key, 36, spent his entire career with Kent, making his debut in 1998 and no-one has scored more runs than him at Canterbury.
He scored 19,419 first-class runs, with the highlight a brilliant 221 for England against the West Indies at Lord's in 2004. He compiled 54 centuries and 74 half-centuries and played 15 Tests, five one-day internationals and one T20 match for England.
Key said: "By mutual agreement the club and I have come to an agreement after a long and enjoyable career to call it a day. It's time for the younger players to have their chance and it doesn't feel right for me to stand in their way anymore.
"I would like to say a massive thank you to all who have supported me throughout my career. It has been a great honour to represent Kent. I don't know what the future holds but I look forward to what the next chapter has in store."
Key was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2005 before being appointed club captain the following year.
He was captain of Kent for nine years before stepping down in 2015 - the longest reign since the great Colin Cowdrey's 15-year spell in the role from 1957 to 1971.
Kent chairman George Kennedy said: "Rob has been an outstanding servant of Kent and England throughout his career.
"He is a club man and selfless captain whose records will stand as testament to his ability with the bat. Perhaps more importantly his leadership and loyalty to Kent in some turbulent times has helped lead the club to a much stronger place. The current crop of exciting talent has learned much from his time at the helm.
"A Kent side without Rob at the top of the order will look very odd and everyone at the club wishes him all the best for the future."
Key admitted that retirement had been on his mind during the early part of 2016, telling Sky Sports News HQ: "I've thought about it for the past two months. When you start thinking about retiring and worrying about the future, it's time to stop."
Asked what he would miss playing professional cricket, Key added: "Every retired player I've spoken to says the thing they missed the most was the dressing room.
"Being in the dressing room, the fun. I'll miss batting but I won't miss the fielding. I feel privileged to have played for England and made my debut with Steve Harmison who became one of my best mates, Andrew Flintoff, as well.
"It was a good team, with Michael Vaughan as captain, just before they won the Ashes in 2005. So it was a great privilege to play in that era of cricket."
Flintoff said: "He had a great brain and could have captained England as well. But he'll look back on his career and be very proud.
"Whatever he does next he'll be successful and I think retirement will suit him: Not having to do pre-season training, not having to do warm-ups and not having to stand in the field which has bored him endlessly!
"But he did love batting and that's one thing he will miss."
