I really liked him at Somerset esp in the shorter formats. I seem to remember him doing well for Eng when coming in when 5 down and struggling in a WC match. He was also a very underrated guy with the ball in hand. I remember him being a bit chucky when he played for Somerset but he seems to have added to his weight from my last sighting of him. Maybe brings a new meaning to the term All Rounder?

Once, many moons ago, I saw Mr. Blackwell score a magical innings of 98 against Surrey at The Oval. It's always stuck in my mind because of the class of the innings and because he was applauded all the way back to the pavilion by Adam Hollioake and his men. Great memory.

If he wants to keep playing, the best option would be to aim for the T20 window and offer himself as a pay-for-play option. Do well and he could get a 1-year playing contract for 2014. As various people have said, it is asking a lot of a county to take a risk and sign a player pre-season who has long-term issues, is near the end of his career and, on top of that, is going to miss at least half of the season.

Blackie finished? - I feel old! its seems like yesterday when he was opening the bowling for Derbys U19's bowling medium pace and blasting it around at number 5 - should of known what was coming when he took a window out at Trent Bridge, it must of been a 90 meter hit - he was about 16 at the time. Really enjoyed the way he has played the game & has a very good record. Cant see why he shouldn't cash in on the T20 circuit unless injured/ timing is right for 1st class umpires list.

Clubs aren't just feeding troughs for players, they have a real responsibility to keep themselves fit. Perhaps you can't blame Blackwell for this injury, but his shape over the last couple of years suggests his fitness is only going one way. In two seasons time, will he really be up for Division 1 cricket? He was much missed last season but made no impact when things were going wrong. It's a sad goodbye. Good luck to him as an umpire.

@mikey76 - Funny you should say that about the cash-strapped counties. However, for that same reason, they might not be able to stand the cost. If Tredders remains in England's thoughts, Kent might want an experienced replacement spinner (with batting as a bonus). However, the report says Blackwell is injured at the start of the season, and I don't see any county wanting to pick up the tab (especially not one where money is limited). They'd sign him mid-season when he was fit to play - and there is the problem. What condition will he be in if left to his own devices? By mid season he might have eaten even more pies and be so unfit that nobody wants to take the chance.

With injury and fitness concerns, probably he is a more viable proposition for T20 and one-dayers than County Championship. However, if he is going to miss the first half of the season it does rather put a dampener on his options. It will be interesting to see if a county has a punt on him to play T20 and then take it from there.

Surely one of the struggling counties like Leicestershire or Kent would be happy to grant him a two year contract. Not many all rounders on the circuit can boast a record as good as his. One has to wonder why guys like him just couldn't knuckle down and get fit. Who knows what career he might have had if he'd left the doughnuts alone.