Sussex star Yardy retires from cricket

The 34-year-old all-rounder grew up in Hastings and has played an integral part in Sussex Cricket for around two decades, having come up through the ranks of the County Age Group squads.

The former William Parker School student made his debut for Sussex in List A cricket in 1999, before making his first-class bow a season later.

He was part of the Sussex squad that won the historic County Championship in 2003, which was the first time the County had been victorious in their 164-year history. He then went on to become a more permanent fixture in the side during the 2004 season, the year in which he struck his maiden first-class century against Surrey.

His first international recognition came in 2005 with England A, before going on to make his full debuts for England in both one-day international and Twenty20 cricket in 2006. His left arm spin, coupled with his batting, made him a key figure in England’s World T20 triumph in the Caribbean in 2010. This was the first England side to win any ICC One-Day Trophy.

Yardy then helped Sussex to the Championship and C&G Trophy double in 2006, and another Championship title in 2007. He captained the side between 2009 and 2012 during a stint littered with trophies; winning the Twenty20 Cup and the NatWest Pro40 in his first year at the helm. Yardy also captained Sussex back to Division One of the Championship in 2010.

‘Yards’ has played 182 first-class matches for Sussex, scoring almost 10,000 runs in the process, whilst his 166 List A games for the County have yielded over 3,000 runs and more than 100 wickets. He has now played 101 T20 matches, scoring over 1,000 runs and taking 77 wickets.

His England career saw him play 28 One-Day Internationals and 14 T20 Internationals, which included the famous World T20 victory.

Yardy said of his decision, “After lots of conversations with my wife, now is the time to start a new journey away from playing cricket. I have found the last few years increasingly more difficult and frustrating, and want to look back on my career with pride and fondness.

“I would like to thank so many people including all the great team mates over my career who have helped me be part of some very special things with Sussex, and realise a dream of playing for England.

“I’m excited for the next couple of months and doing anything that is possible for us to have successful season.”

Sussex’s Professional Cricket Manager Mark Robinson said, “Yards is a home-grown player who has progressed through our youth system, and caught the train as a 16 year-old from Hastings all the way to Arundel in the winter months in order to fight his way to become one of the leading domestic players, and an international one-day player.

“He has not only been an integral part of Sussex’s one-day success, but a World T20 winner with England.

“He captained the team for three years winning the T20 and Pro40 competitions in that period. His overall contribution to Sussex Cricket has been immense, and the support he has given me and all the players in the dressing room will be sadly missed.

“We wish him and his family well when he embarks on the next chapter of his life at the end of the summer.”

Sussex Chairman Jim May said, “Mike Yardy is an inspirational role-model for any young Sussex cricketer, as he joined us a youngster and went all the way to becoming a World Cup winner with England.

“Aside from winning trophies, he captained Sussex with distinction when we won our first T20 competition. Mike’s commitment to Sussex has been outstanding and he will leave us at the end of the season with our grateful thanks and best wishes.”

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