Lampitt to retire from county game

Stuart Lampitt has announced his retirement from County Cricket at the end of the current season and will take up a full time post as Cricket Development Officer for the Worcestershire Cricket Board in October.

Lampitt first played for Worcestershire in 1985, gained his County Cap in 1989 and was awarded a Benefit in 2000. Over a long and successful career he has played in 236 1st class games scoring 5649 runs at an average of 23.83 including a single century against Middlesex at Lord's in 1994. He has taken 601 wickets at an average of 28.65 including a career best 7-45 against Warwickshire at New Road in 2000. As recently as 2000 he was 28th in the national bowling averages.

He was a regular Member of the team that won a total of 7 trophies during the late 80's and early 90's including the Championship twice in 1988 and 1989, the Refuge Assurance League twice in 1987 and 1988, the B & H Cup in 1991, the Natwest Trophy in 1994 and the Refuge Assurance Cup in 1991.

His one day career has been outstanding and he is still a regular member of the current team chasing the Norwich Union League title this season. In all he has taken 356 one day wickets at an average of 24 including 16 wickets this season.

Director of Cricket, Tom Moody, pays tribute to one of the County's longest serving players. "Stuart will go down as one of the outstanding players in the County's long and distinguished history. He has been the consummate professional - total commitment to one County, great skill with both bat and ball and a player you want out in the middle with you. The Club owes him a great debt and I am delighted he will remain involved with Worcestershire Cricket in the years ahead."

Stuart Lampitt said "After discussions with immediate family and the coaching staff at Worcestershire CCC I have decided to retire from 1st Class cricket at the end of 2002 cricket season. Worcestershire CCC, under the guidance of Tom Moody, is currently building for future success and at present is in a period of transition. With this in mind I feel the time will be right for me to retire at the end of what I hope will be a successful season.

Over the past sixteen years I have felt both privileged and honoured to have been given the opportunity to represent my local county at 1st class level and thankfully along the way have been fortunate enough to have experienced some wonderful success.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone associated with the club both presently and over the recent past, the players, staff, members and supporters for their camaraderie, friendship and loyal support which has undoubtedly helped make my career such an enjoyable one.

At the culmination of what promises to be an exciting climax to the season I can begin to look ahead to my new role with the Worcestershire Cricket Board (WCB) and to the fresh challenges that lie ahead. With the continued support and assistance of the numerous volunteers and partner organisations currently working alongside the WCB, I look forward in earnest to working towards sustaining the growth and development of the recreational game within the county whilst assisting in the long term plans of Worcestershire CCC."

Mike Gilhooly, Chairman of the Worcestershire Cricket Board said "Stuart highly successfully carried out, on a temporary basis, the role of Cricket Development Officer to the Worcestershire Cricket Board during the winter months. Initiatives he put in place during that time have been implemented and have received much favourable comment. I warmly welcome Stuart to the full time appointment of Cricket Development Officer to the W.C.B., commencing October 1st 2002, and would say how very much members of the Board look forward to working with him.