Derbyshire wicketkeeper Tom Poynton retires from cricket because of injury

Derbyshire wicketkeeper Tom Poynton has announced his retirement from cricket after failing to recover from an ankle injury.

The 26-year-old sustained the injury in a car crash that tragically killed his father in April 2014 and he missed the whole of the 2014 campaign because of the problem. 

Poynton did manage to return to first-class level, but suffered a recurrence of the injury in July and has now decided to call time on his career. 

The former England U19 international, who made 117 appearances for Derbyshire after making his debut in 2007, will require further ankle surgery to repair the damage. 

He scored a total of 1,603 runs - his best innings total of 106 coming against Northamptonshire in 2012 - and also claimed 168 dismissals.

"It's been a really difficult decision to retire from the game I love, but the medical diagnosis and advice means I know that it's the right decision," Poynton told the club's official website. 

"I'm grateful to everyone in the Derbyshire cricket family and further afield who have helped me during my career, both on and off the field.

"I've loved playing for Derbyshire, a club I've been associated with for over 10 years, and I'm sad to leave.

"I now need to focus on the next stage of my life after cricket. There's a few opportunities that I'm going to pursue and I'm excited about what lies ahead."

Derbyshire chief executive, Simon Storey, added: "Tom is a model professional and leaves the club with a gap to fill on and off the field.

"He is a natural leader and fine cricketer who has overcome great personal tragedy in the process of representing his home county.

"He has shown huge commitment and courage to get back playing first-class cricket at Derbyshire and on behalf of the whole club - Members, sponsors, supporters and staff - we all wish Tom every success in the future."