Derbyshire's Kevin Dean announces retirement

Kevin Dean, the Derbyshire seamer, has announced he will retire from first-class cricket at the end of the season after 15 years with the county. He made his first-class debut against India in 1996, was awarded his county cap in 1998 and a benefit in 2006.

Dean, 32, who played 119 first-class matches and took 401 wickets, will make a farewell appearance in the Pro40 match against Warwickshire on Saturday. Though he averaged only 11.52 with the bat, one of his early successes was when he hit the winning runs against the visiting Australians in a tour match in 1997. His best season was 2002 when he was the joint-leading wicket-taker in England with 82 wickets.

Dean's opportunities at first-class level were limited in recent seasons by injury, and the highlight was his six-wicket haul against Bangladesh A in July, when he had a chance of getting all ten wickets. He also played 11 List A games, taking 160 wickets at 30.55.

John Morris, Derbyshire's head of cricket, praised Dean as a model professional and one who set a great example for the club's younger players. "Kevin has been a tremendous player for Derbyshire for many years and his retirement is a sad day for the club," he said. "At his peak he was undoubtedly one of the best bowlers in the country and was unlucky not to play at a higher level."