Injury forces Tremlett retirement

Chris Tremlett, the former England pace bowler who was a key part of the 2010-11 Ashes victory in Australia, has announced his retirement after conceding that his body cannot stand the rigours of professional cricket any longer.

Injuries have been a regular theme of Tremlett's 16-year career - he made his debut for Hampshire in 2000 before moving to Surrey in 2010 - and the latest problems with his back limited him to three Championship matches this season. His last first-class appearance came against Glamorgan at Guildford since when he has taken specialist advice which led to the decision to call time on his career.

"Unfortunately injury has hampered me throughout my career and now plays the leading role in my decision to retire," he said. "My body, and back in particular, can no longer withstand the vigour of performing at the level required to play professional cricket and after taking specialist advice this latest injury means that I will not be able to carry on.

"I have always tried to give 100% commitment and effort whenever I have played but no longer feel that this is possible. Surrey now have an exciting generation of cricketers breaking through and I wish the club every success in the future."

Tremlett played 12 Tests, 15 ODIs and one T20 for England. He made his Test debut against India, at Lord's, in 2007 and bowled impressively in his first series but, through a combination of injury and a lack of consistency when he was on the park, he did not play another Test until the tour of Australia in 2010-11.

His recall in Perth marked the beginning of his most successful spell as an international bowler as he collected 17 wickets in three matches to help England win down under for the first time in 24 years. He followed that success with 15 wickets in three Tests against Sri Lanka, but would only play three more Tests over the subsequent three years - one apiece against India, Sri Lanka and his final appearance against Australia, at Brisbane, in late 2013.

"I have been extremely fortunate to have enjoyed such a fantastic and memorable career and lucky enough to play with and against some of the best players in the world," he said. "Wearing the three lions was the pinnacle and I enjoyed every minute of the challenge, experience and ultimately the success that the team had whilst playing for England."

His ODI debut had come two years before his Test bow and he claimed four wickets in his first appearance against Bangladesh in 2005. However, another 14 matches spread over seven years brought just 11 further scalps.

Across a 146-match first-class career Tremlett claimed 459 wickets at 28.66 with a career-best of 8 for 96. He also took 180 List A wickets and 75 in T20.