Tom Smith makes retirement announcement aged 37 as he is set to start coaching career after 12-year stint at Bristol.
Gloucestershire spinner Tom Smith announces retirement, aged 37.
At the conclusion of his team’s T20 Blast season, Gloucestershire’s veteran left-arm spinner Tom Smith will announce his retirement from professional cricket.
Since joining Gloucestershire in 2013, Smith, 37, has taken 154 T20 wickets, ranking second in the team’s standings and seventh in all-time T20 Blast statistics. He has also taken 301 wickets in all forms.
In addition to winning the One-Day Cup with the team in 2015, he was a member of the squad that famously won the T20 Blast title last season after defeating Somerset at Edgbaston.
He continued to work with the Gloucestershire coaching staff and the playing staff after agreeing to a one-year contract extension in November. He has only made five appearances this season, though, and Thursday’s game against Sussex at Cheltenham is probably going to be his last home game because the team is not expected to make it to the Blast quarterfinals.
“It feels like the right time,” Smith wrote in an open letter on the club’s website. “Over the past few seasons, I’ve been fortunate to begin building a coaching career alongside playing, and I’m now ready to give that my full focus.
“To Gloucestershire, thank you for believing in me. These past 13 seasons have been incredibly special for both me and my family. From playing a part in the club’s promotion to Division One to winning two white-ball trophies, they’ve been the best days I’ve had on a cricket field.”
“The Glosters dressing room is full of not just brilliant cricketers, but even better people. It’s been an honour to share it with them,” he wrote. “2018 was the hardest year of my life … the love and support I received from everyone at the club during that time meant more than I can ever say.
“Finally to my family, my three beautiful daughters and my partner, Georgie, thank you for your love, patience, and support. You’ve been my rock, and now, hopefully, I’ll get to spend more time watching your matches.”