Peng retires suddenly - at 24

Nicky Peng, the Glamorgan batsman, has retired with immediate effect - at the age of 24. He said he had "lost confidence and belief in my ability" and said he had stopped enjoying the game because of "the mind games which have affected me".

In a statement on the club's website he said: "During the course of this season I have lost both confidence and belief in my ability despite the fact that I am trying 100% for Glamorgan and myself. It is not working for me or for the team and consequently I have stopped enjoying the game.

"I don't want to be dishonest with Glamorgan and therefore I have been completely open with regard to my frame of mind. I hope that my taking this decision will be helpful to the club in their planning for the rest of the season and beyond."

He averaged 18.5 this year in his three Championship matches, and in eight years - six with Durham and the last two at Glamorgan - he has not averaged more than 30 at first-class level. His best was the 2003 season, where he hit a career high of 158 and averaged 29.72.

Peng had born the weight of expectation since 2000, when at 17 he became Durham's youngest ever player. He scored 98 off 145 balls against a Surrey side with several England bowlers. He then toured with England Under-19 in 2001 and with the National Academy the following year.

He alluded to the pressure of flourishing young. "I have played first class cricket since I was 17," he added, " often under what I believe have been difficult circumstances." His career at Durham tailed off: in 2005 he played only nine games for them, and he moved to Glamorgan where he spent two years until his decision to quit.

"I feel at this moment that it is best for me to play no more cricket and to have a break from the mind games which have affected me. I wish all of the players and everyone at Glamorgan only good things and my gratitude for their understanding."

Their chief executive Mike Fatkin said: "We are all naturally disappointed to learn of Nicky's decision but we respect his honesty in explaining his reasons and the professional way in which he has gone about informing us. I know our coaches and captain have retained their belief in Nicky as a player but there are clearly very strong reasons for him to be taking this decision and we respect those reasons.

"On the basis that his mind is made up we would like to publicly acknowledge his contribution over the past couple of years and all of us at the club offer our sincerest best wishes for the future, whatever that holds for him."