Dean Cosker retires after 21-year career

Dean Cosker, the left-arm spinner who was the last remaining active player of Glamorgan's 1997 County Championship winning side, has announced his retirement after a 21-year career.

Cosker made his Glamorgan debut in 1996 and then took 20 wickets in the trophy-winning campaign the following season. He reached as far as England A level in the late 1990s and remained a consistent performer, highlighted by the fact that his best first-class season came in 2010 when he claimed 51 wickets at 22.11, but he had not played a Championship match this season.

He was also immensely valuable in white-ball cricket, enjoying his best T20 season in 2015 when he took 17 wickets. Overall in first-class cricket in finished with 597 wickets, 260 in List A and 100 in T20.

Alongside his bowling he was renowned as an outstanding fielder, so much so that he was used by England as a substitute during the 2015 Ashes Test in Cardiff.

"I feel very humbled and privileged to have had the opportunity to represent Glamorgan over the past 21 years," said Cosker. "I would like to thank all the coaches, players and particularly my family that have made this possible and who have continuously supported my career throughout.

"I have been very lucky to rub shoulders with some of the game's finest players and characters, and both on the field and in the changing room I have been able to share some fantastic times that will stay with me as great memories for years to come.

"I have loved my time at Glamorgan and feel proud to say this was the only county I ever wanted to play for. Leaving the spin bowling department at Glamorgan in an exciting place has always been important to me and, with positive young spin bowlers at the club coming to the fore, I believe this is the case. I am really excited about the next chapter in my life and the challenges that it will bring."

Hugh Morris, the Glamorgan chief executive, who was also part of the 1997 Championship-winning side, said: "Dean has enjoyed a terrific career with Glamorgan and has been a great ambassador for the Club both on and off the field for more than 20 years.

"It was a pleasure to play with Dean at the beginning of his career and it has been great working with him over the last few years as a professional cricketer."