Derbyshire's Needham calls time on playing career

Jake Needham has retired from professional cricket after asking to be released from the final year of his contract with Derbyshire. The county have accepted his request, ending Needham's six-year stay.

With first-team chances very limited - his final appearance was in the first half of 2011 - he has decided to explore opportunities in the financial services sector, while working in a part-time role with Derbyshire's media and marketing department. He has also been appointed captain of Ockbrook and Borrowash, who play in the Derbyshire Premier League.

In 2006, he was the first player from the Derbyshire academy to be offered a professional contract after making his first-team debut in 2005 against Essex at Derby. His found more opportunities in the one-day arena, playing 56 limited-overs matches and taking 34 wickets with his offspin.

"I felt it was the right time for me to look at a career outside county cricket," Needham said. "It is, therefore, with great optimism and enthusiasm that I take a position working behind the scenes with the club. Karl Krikken and the rest of the club have been fantastically supportive throughout this period and I would like to thank them all sincerely.

"I've been involved with Derbyshire since playing junior cricket at the age of 11 and it's no secret that I have a great affection and affinity for the place and the people. I am, therefore, relishing the chance to help the club in any capacity possible."

Needham played twice for England Under-19s in 2006, before making the bulk of his Derbyshire appearances in 2007 and 2008. He spent last season captaining the second XI.