Jaques retires from Australian cricket

The opening batsman Phil Jaques, who played 11 Tests for Australia before a serious back injury ended his international career, will retire from first-class cricket in Australia at the end of this summer. Jaques, 32, will continue his career with Yorkshire, where he will be classified as a local player due to his British passport.

His decision will mean the end of a career spanning 12 seasons with New South Wales, for whom he scored 5659 first-class runs at an average of 41.30. He was even more successful in Test cricket, where he made 902 runs at 47.47. Jaques scored three Test centuries, including one in his last innings for Australia, in Barbados in 2008.

Jaques had been given the opening role after the retirement of Justin Langer, and he looked set for a long career in the baggy green. However, he was ruled out of the 2008 tour of India due to a long-standing back injury that required surgery, and he never quite returned to his peak form - or to the Australia side. In the past three seasons in Australia, he has averaged 35.17 in first-class cricket.

"I have made this decision with my family in mind and I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my career," Jaques said. "I've thoroughly enjoyed my time playing cricket for New South Wales and Australia and have always considered it a privilege. I have also made plenty of great friends along the way.

"I hope to remain involved with Cricket NSW in some capacity in the future. My years playing for NSW have helped me to grow as a player and person and I appreciate all of their support I have received over the years. I walk away with no regrets knowing that I have given 100% every time I have walked onto the ground and I will continue to do this until the end of the season."

Jaques played in two successful Pura Cup finals for New South Wales, in 2004-05 and 2007-08, as well as the state's 2005-06 one-day triumph. He scored 2340 one-day runs for the Blues at 39.66, and at one stage held the state record for the highest one-day score, with his unbeaten 171 against Queensland in February 2010.

A regular in the county competition, he has spent time with Yorkshire, Worcestershire and Northamptonshire, but this will be his first season playing as a local player. Jaques was born in Wollongong in New South Wales to English parents, which allowed him to acquire a British passport.