The final curtain for Habib?

Aftab Habib is now looking for a new career © Getty Images

The former England batsman, Aftab Habib, who parted company with Essex last month, might have played his last match as a professional cricketer.

Habib, 32, who played twice for England in 1999, had joined Essex in 2002 having been with Leicestershire for seven seasons, where he had helped them win the County Championship twice, and topped 1000 runs in 1999 and 2000. But after averaging 38 in his three seasons at Chelmsford, the Essex preferred to sign Grant Flower than retain him.

Despite contacting several counties, he has not been able to find one to sign him. "Things have not turned out as planned," he said. "A few weeks ago it looked as though I was all set to join Middlesex, but just when the deal was about to be signed and sealed they pulled out. Since then I've been in touch with Northamptonshire and, although they expressed interest, their financial constraints mean they have not been able to take things further even though I'm not asking for a lot in terms of money.

"It's disappointing I've not fixed up another club but there is no point in losing sleep over it," he continued. "The time is fast approaching when I need to consider moving in another direction. A coaching post with a private school is one area I'm exploring, and it's certainly a job I would feel at ease with."