England pacer Steven Finn has announced retirement from all formats of cricket after playing the game for 18 years, the player confirmed on Monday.
Finn picked up a knee injury which kept him out of action for the better of 2023 and forced him to call time on his career at the age of 34.
"Today I am retiring from all forms of cricket with immediate effect," read Finn's statement. "I have been fighting a battle with my body for the last 12 months and have admitted defeat to it.
"To have played 125 games for England, including 36 Tests, far surpassed what I dreamed of. I want to thank Sussex Cricket for their support over the last 12 months especially and for welcoming me wholeheartedly into the club at the beginning of last season.
"It really is a great place to play cricket and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to play more of a part on the field since joining the club,” he said.
"I retire with some amazing memories with England, Middlesex and Sussex, shared with fantastic people. Those will live with me forever.
"Thank you to all the people who have followed and supported my career, especially my parents who allowed me to chase my dream when I was a youngster.
"Cricket has given me a lot and I hope to give back to the game in some capacity in the future. But, for now, I'll enjoy watching on without wondering whether my body will be able to make it through another day's cricket. Thank you," he concluded.
The pacer represented England in a total of 126 international matches picking up 254 wickets in the process.
Finn’s most memorable performance with England was against arch-rivals Australia in 2015 where the pacer took a final-over hat-trick registering his career-best 79-6 in Birmingham and helping his team win the Ashes 3-2.
Finn was also part of two more Ashes wins — in 2010 when England won for the first time in Australia since 1986/87 and then again in 2013 at home.