Snape announces retirement

Jeremy Snape, the Leicestershire allrounder who played 10 ODIs for England, has announced his retirement from first-class cricket.

Snape, 35, joined Leicestershire five years ago, moving from Gloucestershire, and helped the club win two Twenty20 Cup trophies, in 2004 and 2006.

"I have been very fortunate to play cricket for nearly 20 years and have some very special memories, including eight domestic trophies wins," Snape told Leicestershire's website. "In retiring now, Leicestershire have an opportunity to develop some younger players in the exciting Twenty20 format.

"Cricket has provided me with many wonderful experiences and friendships and looking to the future, I can start to explore new opportunities with my sport and business coaching consultancy Sporting Edge."

His last one-dayer came against Zimbabwe in 2002, and he represented England in one match during the ICC World Twenty20 last September.

"On behalf of the players and members at Grace Road, I would like to express our sincere thanks to Jeremy for his contribution towards the club's one-day success," Tim Boon, Leicestershire's coach, said, "and in particular in the two Twenty20 Cup wins that were achieved in 2004 and 2006."

Snape's last match is a Twenty20 Cup game against Nottinghamshire on Tuesday, June 24.