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At the age of 39, veteran all-rounder Steven Croft of Lancashire, a key member of the team that won the 2011 Championship, has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
Following his retirement from first-class and List A cricket at the conclusion of the 2023 summer, Croft played just T20 cricket for the remainder of the season. But he has now officially announced his complete retirement, effective immediately, and he will instead become a full-time member of Lancashire’s coaching team.
His last game for the team was earlier this month, during Lancashire’s quarterfinal Vitality Blast loss to Sussex. It was his 600th appearance overall. After making his Lancashire debut in 2005, he amassed 19,183 runs and took 199 wickets with his offspin.
His winning runs against Somerset at Taunton in 2011 helped Lancashire win their first County Championship after a 77-year drought. Four years later, at Edgbaston, he captained the T20 squad to their first T20 Blast trophy, defeating Northamptonshire in the final. He finishes his career as Lancashire’s leading T20 run-scorer with 5,486 runs.
“My dream as a boy was to play one game for Lancashire, in the end it became 600,” Croft said. “So, after just over two decades of playing for the club, I have taken the decision to retire as a player.
“I can confidently say I have realised my dream and more, and what a ride it has been. To go with the games, runs, wickets and catches, I have played alongside some of my heroes and many greats of the game.
“There have been so many highlights along the way, too. Winning the County Championship in 2011 will stay with me forever. The 2015 T20 Blast too, what a great night that was! But also, being awarded my county cap and being appointed club captain were special moments.
Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s Director of Cricket, added: “On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to congratulate Steven on an incredible Lancashire career.
“Steven epitomises everything good about this club. He is an outstanding individual who always puts the team first and anyone who has watched him knows that Steven puts his heart and soul into every game and his record speaks for itself.
“Players like Steven don’t come around too often and whilst we will miss his skill and experience on the field, we’re thrilled that he will continue to play a vital role in continuing to develop the exciting young players we have at Emirates Old Trafford, working across the Men’s First Team, Second XI and Academy.”