LONDON, Aug 21: Former England batsman Graham Thorpe is to quit cricket at the end of the season. “I have decided the time has come for me to retire,” the 36-year-old Surrey left-hander told The Mail on Sunday.

“It is an emotional moment because in the main I have had a fantastic time and there are many things I will miss. But I feel comfortable this is the right decision.”

Thorpe, England’s best batsman for more than a decade, announced his retirement from the Test arena last month.

The gritty batsman had hoped to end his career as part of an Ashes-winning team after becoming only the eighth England player to notch up 100 Tests.

However, he was omitted from the side for the first Test against Australia at Lord’s in July.—Reuters