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Best calls it a day

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A back injury has forced Warwickshire's Paul Best to retire from professional cricket at the age of 24.

The left-arm spinner took 32 wickets in 11 first-class matches for the Bears, Northamptonshire and Cambridge MCCU, for whom his debut arrived in 2011, while also making 17 limited-overs appearances.

Best struck a first-class century, for Cambridge against Surrey at Fenner's in May 2011, and two fifties. 

Injuries hampered his progress, though, leading to the former England Under-19s captain hanging up his boots.

Best, part of Warwickshire's squad that lost to Hampshire in the final of the 2012 Clydesdale Bank 40 at Lord's, said: “This has been not been an easy decision to make.

"The stress fractures I have had to endure the last two seasons have taken their toll on my body and I do not believe I can perform to the level I have in the past.

Paul Best, right, celebrates his only first-class century playing for Cambridge MCCU against Surrey at Fenner's in May 2011

“It is for this reason that I have decided to retire from professional cricket in order to pursue another career path.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Warwickshire both as a professional and an age-group player and I would like to thank everyone involved for their invaluable support.

“I wish the club all the best moving forward and I will follow their progress with great pride.”

Warwickshire director of cricket Dougie Brown added: “It is always sad when injury catches up with a player but especially so when it happens at a young age.

“Paul was an outstanding junior cricketer, having captained England U19s and having been part of the Bears squad that reached the Clydesdale Bank 40-over final at Lord’s in 2012.

“His back injury struck at just the wrong time in his development as a professional cricketer and his first-team appearances have been limited over recent seasons as a result.

“Paul is a talented individual and I am sure he will be successful in whatever future venture he undertakes. We wish him all the very best and will miss his contribution to the dressing room.”


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