Steve Rhodes to retire at end of season

Steve Rhodes: 'My aim during my last professional season is to approach it with the same enthusiasm and effort that I did in 1985' © Getty Images

Worcestershire and England wicketkeeper Steve Rhodes has announced he will be retiring from first-class cricket at the end of the 2004 season after 20 seasons with the county.

Rhodes, who will be 40 in June, made his first-team debut in 1985 and was capped in 1986. He made his England debut in 1994, playing in 11 Tests and nine one-day internationals.

Tom Moody, Worcestershire's director of cricket and a former team-mate, said that Rhodes had been "an outstanding professional at New Road for many seasons. He was a great asset to me when I was captain and has been even more so now in my role as director of cricket."

Rhodes himself said: "My aim during my last professional season is to approach it with the same enthusiasm and effort that I did in 1985. Winning trophies were the highlights but the friendships I have gained with playing colleagues, staff, members and supporters is the real bonus."

It is expected that Rhodes will remain at New Road in a coaching capacity.