Shaun Udal has today announced his decision to retire from first-class cricket.

The decision ends Udal’s three year staywith Middlesex CCC and brings an end to his distinguished career.

During a career spanning 22 seasons, Udal played four Tests and 11 one-day internationals for England.

His finest hour with England came on the 2005-06 tour of India when he claimed 4-14, including the prize wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, in Mumbai.

The performance allowed England to win a remarkable Test and square the series in memorable style.

Nineteen of Udal’s 22 years in cricket were spent with Hampshire, who won four limited over trophies whilst he was at the club.

Udal initially retired at the end of the 2007 season, but was lured in to playing again by John Emburey, Middlesex’s director of cricket.

The move brought immediate reward as Middlesex CCC won the t20 Cup in 2008. In the same year Udal took over the captaincy of Middlesex CCC, who he led until June 2010.

In 301 first-class games Udal took 822 wickets at an average of 32.47 and in total claimed 1,330 first team wickets.

He also scored more than 11,000 runs in all forms of cricket at an average of more than 20.

Speaking on his retirement Udal said said: “I am extremely lucky to have played the game I love for such a long period of time.

"Cricket has been extremely good to me and I have enjoyed every moment I have spent in the game.

"I have played with and against some great cricketers and characters, and treasure the moments I spent playing with and competing against these men.

"I have many good friends in cricket and hope to continue to enjoy their company. It is obviously a sad day – waving goodbye to something very special is always difficult - but I look forward to getting stuck in to the next chapter of my life.”

Angus Fraser, Middlesex County Cricket Club’s managing director of cricket, said: "On behalf of everyone at Middlesex CCC I would like to thank Shaun for all the hard work and commitment he put in during his three years at the club.

"When Shaun took over as Middlesex captain he inherited a fractured dressing room and morale was low.

"During the two years he captained Middlesex Shaun successfully pulled the team closer together and the dressing room is now a far happier and united place.

"He has handed over to Neil Dexter a club in far better shape than the one he inherited.

"Shaun leaves the game with a record to be very proud of.

"He represented his country and won domestic silverware with the two clubs he played for, and that is what playing sport at the highest level is all about.

"In the 2008 t20 Final he showed what a canny and skilful bowler he was, taking 1-21 in four overs in a match where more than nine runs per over were conceded.

"During his three years at Middlesex Shaun made many good friends and is highly respected by the club’s members and staff. We wish him well for the future and he will always be welcome at Lord’s.”