Mark Wagh announces retirement

Mark Wagh has announced that he will retire from professional cricket at the conclusion of Nottinghamshire's ongoing Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road after five years with the county. He had originally planned to bow out in August to pursue a career in law but has decided to make an early exit to focus on his new career.

"I will always look back fondly on my time at Nottinghamshire and I have been privileged to play alongside some excellent players here," said Wagh.

"Being part of the Championship winning team last season was a major highlight for me and I would like to thank my teammates, the coaching staff and all of the club's members and supporters for all they have done and continue to do for Nottinghamshire."

Wagh moved to Nottinghamshire from Warwickshire at the end of the 2006 season and enjoyed consistent success with them.

He averaged 56.95 in his first season at Trent Bridge, and passed 1,000 Championship runs in two of his four full summers with the county, his leanest spell coming in 2009 when he scored only 814 runs but still managed three centuries.

"Mark was an excellent acquisition and he gave stability to our batting order during a time when our fortunes in four-day cricket made a significant and sustained improvement," said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

"His century at Edgbaston last season was a particularly good innings and he made a solid contribution to our success. He wouldn't have featured in our Twenty20 fixtures and we agreed that it was best for all concerned if he was to bring forward his retirement."

Wagh's place in the batting line-up could be taken by left-hander Neil Edwards, who is expected to return from injury in time for the match against Lancashire which begins on June 20.