Essex's Varun Chopra retires from cricket

Varun Chopra, the former England Lions batter who won County Championship titles at Essex and Warwickshire, has retired from the professional game aged 34.

Chopra came through at Essex, becoming the club's youngest Championship centurion in 2006 (a record since eclipsed by Dan Lawrence). He left for Warwickshire at the end of 2009, going on to captain the club as well as winning recognition with the Lions. He helped Warwickshire to lift the Championship in 2012, passing 1000 first-class runs three years in a row, and also led them to the T20 Blast title in 2014.

Chopra took on the club captaincy, only to make a return to Chelmsford when his contract expired in 2016. He was part of the Essex side that claimed a first Championship in 25 years in 2017, as well as a squad member for the Blast-Championship double two years later and last season's Bob Willis Trophy success.

With opportunities limited over recent seasons, Chopra also spent time on loan at Sussex and Middlesex.

"I would like to thank Varun for his contribution to Essex County Cricket Club during his two terms at the club," Essex's executive chairman, John Faragher, said. "I wish him all the very best in the next stage of his career journey, the skills he has developed as an opening batter will see him well in the coming years.

"Varun will always be a welcome visitor at Chelmsford, and we look forward to seeing him whenever his time permits."