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Injury forces Suppiah to retire

Arul Suppiah, the Somerset allrounder, has been forced to retire at the age of 29 due to worsening knee injuries

ESPNcricinfo staff
04-Jul-2013
Arul Suppiah finishes with 100 first-class appearances and a T20 world record  •  Getty Images

Arul Suppiah finishes with 100 first-class appearances and a T20 world record  •  Getty Images

Arul Suppiah, the Somerset allrounder, who holds the world record for Twenty20 bowling figures, has been forced to retire at the age of 29 due to worsening knee injuries.
Suppiah, a top-order batsman and left-arm spinner, was born in Malaysia and educated at Millford School before making his Somerset debut in 2002. In 2009 he scored 1000 Championship runs for the first time as he established himself as a regular member of a strong top order that included Marcus Trescothick, Nick Compton and James Hildreth.
However, his most notable achievement was securing world-record bowling figures in T20s when he took 6 for 5 against Glamorgan, at Cardiff, in 2011.
Suppiah has suffered from serious injuries in both knees that have led to a rapid deterioration in recent months, to the extent that he has been strongly advised to take an immediate retirement from the game. He is currently in the middle of his benefit season.
"I am devastated to have to retire from the game that I have always loved," he said. "This is the hardest decision of my life, especially having played for Somerset for so long. After consultation with the specialist, I realise I have no choice but to retire.
"I have so many happy memories of my time at Somerset and would like to thank everybody from [the] players, staff and members who have supported me during my playing career. Somerset will always be my county and from the other side of the boundary ropes I shall continue to support the lads in every way I can."
Guy Lavender, the Somerset chief executive, added: "Arul might not have been born in the county but he is thought of as a real local. He has given so much to cricket in Somerset, and it is a great shame that he has to retire in these circumstances.
"Not only is he an exceptional cricketer, he is a superb chap, and I am certain that the next phase of his career will be as successful as the first. I am sure that all Somerset members and cricket lovers will continue to support his remaining benefit year events.
"Arul will be greatly missed by all the players and staff and we would like to thank him on behalf of all the members for everything that he has done for Somerset and wish him every success for the future."