Brooke Walker announces his retirement

Brooke Walker, the Auckland captain and former New Zealand legspinner, has announced his retirement from all cricket.

Only 28, Walker made his international debut on tour against South Africa in 2000-01, and played five Tests and 11 ODIs in all. He didn't achieve much success, though - his five Test wickets cost nearly 80 apiece, and his eight ODI scalps cost him 52 each. His last Test was during the ill-fated tour to Pakistan in 2002. The match at Lahore was his final one, a game remembered for Inzamam-ul-Haq's monumental 329 and Shoaib Akhtar's blitz with the ball. Walker was smashed for 97 in 14.5 overs, the rest of the tour was called off due to the bombing near the team hotel in Karachi, and Walker didn't play for New Zealand again. (Click here to check out Walker's Test performances.)

However, he was far more successful in his first-class career, taking 164 wickets in 84 matches at an average of 32.46. A capable lower-order batsman, Walker also scored one first-class century. He captained Auckland 39 times, leading them to three State Championship titles, including one last season.

"I have really enjoyed my time in the Auckland side, and with cricket in general," New Zealand Press Association quoted him as saying. "The last season was a fantastic success and I feel that I can now leave on the right note."