Former England pace bowler Ed Giddins has announced his retirement.
The 32-year-old played only three first-class matches for Hampshire since joining his fourth county in November 2002 and has decided to quit with a year and a half of his contract remaining.
Giddins also played for Sussex, Warwickshire and Surrey and was capped four times by England in a career spanning 12 years and 478 first-class wickets.
Giddins said: "I like to think I have set high standards in fitness throughout my career and I wanted to avoid a public deterioration in my performances.
"It has become more and more difficult to maintain those standards I set and I felt it only fair to Hampshire and myself to bow out now. I have enjoyed playing for all four of my counties."
Hampshire manager, Paul Terry, said: "I fully respect Ed's decision. Over his career his record speaks for itself and places him among the best of the last decade but sadly we saw only glimpses of his quality."
The 32-year-old played only three first-class matches for Hampshire since joining his fourth county in November 2002 and has decided to quit with a year and a half of his contract remaining.
Giddins also played for Sussex, Warwickshire and Surrey and was capped four times by England in a career spanning 12 years and 478 first-class wickets.
Giddins said: "I like to think I have set high standards in fitness throughout my career and I wanted to avoid a public deterioration in my performances.
"It has become more and more difficult to maintain those standards I set and I felt it only fair to Hampshire and myself to bow out now. I have enjoyed playing for all four of my counties."
Hampshire manager, Paul Terry, said: "I fully respect Ed's decision. Over his career his record speaks for itself and places him among the best of the last decade but sadly we saw only glimpses of his quality."
