James Hildreth to retire from all forms of cricket after 20 years with Somerset

James Hildreth in action

Somerset County Cricket Club batter James Hildreth on Thursday confirmed his retirement from professional cricket at the end of the season.

After making his debut for Somerset in 2003, Hildreth has made a record 715 First XIs  appearances for the County side across formats which is more than any other Somerset player in history.

Hildreth played all his cricket at Somerset. His career spanned over the course of 20 years having amassed in excess of 27,000 runs in over 700 matches. He retired as Somerset's all-time leading T20 run scorer with 3,906 runs to his name at an average of 24.56 and a best of 107 not out. In First-Class cricket, he accumulated 17,994 runs at 40.98 with a best of 303*. His List A career saw him scoring 6,100 runs at an average of 35.46. 

In his illustrious career for Somerset, Hildreth's most memorable moments were winning the T20 Blast in 2005 and lifting the Royal London One-Day Cup in 2019 as he scored winning runs on both occasions.

Hildreth excited about his future away from the field

“It feels like the right time to start a new chapter in my life and I’m excited about what the future holds. I left school at 18 and have spent the last 20 years with the Club. It has been my life and I have loved every minute of it. The Club and cricket as a whole have given myself and my family so much over the last 20 years, and I have got nothing but fondness and love for the Club and that will continue for the rest of my life. I am looking forward to being a Somerset supporter and to coming down to watch the guys with my family and my children. The thing I will miss most is the pride that you feel when you pull on that shirt to represent the Club and the whole of the South West,” said James Hildreth.

Somerset congratulates Hildreth on his stellar career

On Hildreth's retirement, Somerset Head Coach Jason Kerr said that all good things come to an end and Hildreth deserves all the praise and appreciation that has come his way. Kerr also added that he was fortunate enough to watch some incredible contributions from the Somerset ace throughout the course of his career.   

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