Dale announces retirement

Former Australian Test and One Day player Adam Dale today announced his retirement from first class cricket.

The right-arm swing bowler played four Pura Cup matches for the XXXX Queensland Bulls this summer after fighting back from major shoulder surgery that saw him miss virtually all of the 2001-02 season and half of the 2002-2003 season.

Dale, who took 14 wickets at 22.42 for the Bulls during the season, said he had made the decision based on a number of factors.

"I enjoyed my cricket this summer but once the season was over, I sat back and had a good look at what I wanted to do from here," he said.

"I decided pretty quickly that I was at the point where my family and career were the priorities and it was a simple decision to decide that now was the time to end one phase of my life and get on with the next."

"I don't have any regrets at all - I've had a great time with my cricket and I was happy to make the decision while I was in control of that process."

"I really consider myself very fortunate to have played alongside so many wonderful cricketers and I'm thankful that I have received such outstanding support and encouragement from my family, friends, coaches and teammates in that time."

Dale said he was looking forward to focusing on his family life and career, although hoped to remain involved with cricket at club level next season.

Dale was captain-coach of Wynnum-Manly in the Brisbane XXXX First Grade competition this season.

The 34-year-old took six wickets in two Tests, against India in Bangalore in 1997-98 and the West Indies in St John's in 1998-99, played 30 One Day Internationals and was the only Queenslander in the victorious 1999 World Cup squad.

He made his ODI debut on the 1996-97 tour of South Africa and finished his national limited overs career with 32 wickets at 30.59.

His international career included the 1997 tour to South Africa, the 97-98 ODI tour to NZ, 98 Test and ODI tour to India, 98 ODI tour to Shajah, 99 Test and ODI tour to West Indies, 99 World Cup (England), 99 ODI tour to Sri Lanka and 99 ODI tour to Zimbabwe. He was also a member of the Australia A tour to Ireland and Scotland in 1998-99.

In all, Dale took 245 first class career wickets at the outstanding average of 20.76 since making his first class debut for Queensland in 1996-97.

During his time in the Bulls squad (1994-2003), Queensland won five Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup titles and two domestic One Day titles.

Dale was a member of the Bulls side that won the 1996-97 Sheffield Shield, 1999-2000 Pura Cup, 2000-2001 Pura Cup and the 1995-96 Mercantile Mutual Cup championship. He was also a Bulls squad member in Queensland's historic first ever Sheffield Shield win in 1994-95 and missed their other two national titles through injury or national team selection.

He took five wicket or more in an innings on 13 occasions in first class cricket and had one 10-wicket haul. His best season for Queensland was in 2000-01 when he took 46 first class wickets at 23.39.

He claimed 202 first class wickets for Queensland in 48 matches, the second fastest to the milestone in Queensland cricket history behind Andy Bichel (44 matches).

Dale also played 15 matches for Australia 'A', taking 35 wickets at 15.69, and 27 domestic One Day matches for Queensland, taking 36 wickets at 23.39.

He twice won the Peter Burge Medal for the best and fairest Brisbane XXXX First Grade player.

Queensland Cricket Chief Executive Officer Graham Dixon today paid tribute to Dale's impressive contribution for the Bulls.

"His ability to bowl tightly as well as take wickets was the cornerstone of many Queensland victories in one-day and four-day cricket, coming as they did in such a successful period for the Bulls," he said.

"We wish Adam the best in his life after cricket and look forward to his continued involvement as part of the extended Bulls' family," he said.