Keith Barker: Warwickshire all-rounder announces retirement

Warwickshire all-rounder Keith Barker has announced his retirement from playing with immediate effect.

The 39-year-old started and ended his career at Edgbaston, either side of a spell with Hampshire.

He rejoined the Bears ahead of this season on a 12-month contract but has only played two first-team games because of a knee injury, the last in their drawn Championship game against Yorkshire at Scarborough in June.

Barker was a talented youth footballer, playing for England up to under-20 level, before switching to cricket.

He took 544 wickets and scored 5,554 runs, including six centuries in first-class cricket and was a member of Warwickshire’s County Championship-winning side in 2012.

A left-arm seamer and left-hand bat, he took 158 wickets in white-ball cricket and made over 1,000 runs.

“It’s difficult to put into words what Warwickshire means to me,” Barker told the club website.

“I first came to the club in 2008 and spent 10 years here, before seven brilliant seasons at Hampshire and then getting the opportunity to come back and finish my career where it all started.

He added: “I always knew this day would come, but that doesn’t make it any easier. In my head I still want to compete, still want the ball in my hand and still believe I can make a difference.

“Unfortunately, after a long career and plenty of injuries, my body is telling me it’s time.”