Phelps announces retirement

Matthew Phelps, the New South Wales batsman, has announced his retirement from first-class cricket, but will not be lost to the game. He will now take up the role of Cricket NSW's country cricket co-ordinator.

Phelps, 33, played 38 first-class match for NSW in a seven-year and scored 2380 runs at an average of 37.77. He hit six centuries with a top score of 192.

Phelps was recently named NSW's 2005-06 Pura Cup player of the year and told AAP, while he could have continued playing, he felt it was best to go out on top.

"I've made the decision knowing I would have been offered a contract for 2006-07, but the opportunity to go out on my terms played heavily on my mind. I did not want to be one of those players who plays one season too many."

"As someone who hails from country NSW, I know how much I appreciate the support I had on my way up, and I now have a great opportunity to put something back into country areas," he said.