August 10, 2007	Friday	Rajab 25, 1428

LONDON, Aug 9: Ashley Giles became on Thursday the first member of England’s victorious 2005 Ashes side to announce his retirement from cricket. The 34-year-old left-arm spinner has been struggling with a hip injury for over a year.

Giles took 143 wickets in 54 Tests and one of his best performances came during his final appearance at The Oval where he made a Test-best 59 and shared in a decisive 109-run eighth wicket stand with Kevin Pietersen, which secured the draw that won the Ashes two years ago.

His Test debut was against South Africa at Old Trafford in 1998 and his final Test match was against Australia in Adelaide in December 2006.

Giles, in a statement issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), said: “Following guidance from my hip surgeon, Dr Marc Philippon, I am very sorry to announce that I am retiring from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.

“But I have no regrets. I will always have great memories of being part of a fantastic Warwickshire and England dressing room.

“It has been a huge honour to play for my country and to play a part in one of the most successful periods in its cricketing history. I dreamt of playing cricket for England and winning the Ashes as a child and so to be part of that magical summer of 2005 was truly a dream realised,” he expressed.

England captain Michael Vaughan added: “Ashley’s retirement is very sad news and everyone in the England dressing room will miss his professionalism and, of course, his sense of humour.”—AFP