Mark Waugh and Sue Porter split up

Mark Waugh's long and prosperous cricket career ended only 22 days ago. Now his 17-year relationship with Sue Porter is over as well.

Waugh, who retired after New South Wales's season-ending Pura Cup game against Queensland at the SCG on March 7, announced the split today via his manager. Waugh and 51-year-old Porter were together throughout his 128-Test career and the vast majority of his 18 years with NSW.

Leo Karis, Waugh's manager, confirmed the separation. "Mark Waugh and Susan Porter have today mutually and amicably agreed to end their relationship," he said in a statement. "Mark and Susan request that their privacy be respected at this time. There will not be any further comments made by either party."

Waugh, 38, met Porter when he was a 21-year-old working at a Sydney sports store. She was 34 at the time, and married with three children.

"It wasn't love at first sight," Waugh wrote in his biography. "Sue was married, and I was just a young fella who was a bit naive when it came to girls." Waugh's book said Porter did not share his love of gambling on horses, and insisted on one gambling-free day a week when they were at home together.

They had been engaged.