Resurgent Smith withdraws threat to retire

Two centuries in CricInfo Championship games already this season have helped persuade Hampshire captain Robin Smith to withdraw his threat to retire at the end of this summer.

The former England batsman is 38 in September but now says he intends to carry on playing until his 40th birthday.

Smith had a poor season last year and averaged just 20, prompting his retirement announcement. But his change of fortune this year has led to a change of mind.

He said: "I feel pretty good this year and I could not be happier with the way things have gone.

"Throughout my career I've been lucky in that I've always scored runs but last year I suffered and I lost my confidence.

"I was considering quitting if it went on but with a further two years left on my contract I would love to fulfil that and play until I'm 40.

"It has always been my ambition to finish at 40 and leave on a high and with the last scheduled game being on my 40th birthday I would love to bow out then."