Cricket: Prince Retires While Monty Leaves Essex

Lancashire and Essex have both announced that one of their big names players will be leaving.

Ashwell Prince has announced his retirement from cricket and will not be playing for Lancashire next season. The South African revealed he was planning to retire at the end of the season despite speculation he may continue to carry on playing following Lancashire’s promotion to Divison One.

Prince, 38, has represented South Africa in 66 Test matches and 52 ODIs. His retirement will come as a setback for Lancashire who were hoping to persuade him to play on for another season as they build a team capable of competing in Division One.

Elsewhere, Monty Panesar will leave Essex, despite only joining the London side in 2014. His two season spell with the club has been disrupted by personal problems which have seen the former England spinner appear sparingly for the club.

Panesar has stated he is looking forward to a new start at a different county as he bids to remind fans what he is capable of. Panesar has also refused to rule out playing for England again, although he will have to perform well for his next county if this is to be the case.