Graham Lloyd to retire

Graham Lloyd has announced his retirement from first-class cricket after 16 seasons with Lancashire. The 33-years old batsman is likely to make his final home appearance in Lancashire Lightning's Norwich Union League fixture against Northants Steelbacks at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Lloyd, who made his debut in 1988, appeared in over 200 first-class matches for the club, scoring more than 11,000 runs and claiming 24 centuries, three of which were converted into double centuries. A brilliant fielder, as well as an exciting batsman, he was a member of the Lancashire side which dominated one-day cricket between 1995 and 1999.

Lloyd said, "I have enjoyed my time with Lancashire immensely, playing for a fantastic club, with a very good team, and making a lot of friends. I can leave on an amicable basis and have no regrets. I'm happy with my career and proud of it but in the last couple of years I've not hit the standards required and I feel it is a good time to finish."

Manager Mike Watkinson said, "Graham was a valuable, entertaining and very popular player and we wish him well for the future."