Vikram Solanki announces he is to retire from first-class cricket Former PCA chairman Vikram Solanki has announced that he is to retire from first-class cricket. Solanki, the Surrey and former England and Worcestershire batsman, has played more than 800 matches in all forms of cricket since he made his debut for Worcestershire in 1993. He played in 51 One Day Internationals between 2000 and 2006 and three Twenty20 Internationals including two in the 2007 World Twenty20 Championships in South Africa. Solanki, 39, scored more than 18,300 first-class runs including 34 centuries with a career-best 0f 270 for Worcestershire against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham in 2008. His 11,000 List A runs include 16 centuries, two of them made for England, 106 against South Africa at The Oval in 2003 and 100 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo in 2004. ” Whilst the realisation that my playing days are coming to an end is naturally difficult to come to terms with, the decision to retire is one that I have had some time to think about,” Solanki said. ” I have been very fortunate to have played for two wonderful clubs as well as for England and would like to thank everyone that has played a part in my career for their help and support over the years.” Surrey CCC Director of Cricket Alec Stewart added: ” Speaking on behalf of the Surrey dressing room, I would like to thank Vik for the massive contribution he has made and the positive impact he has had on everyone throughout his time here. ” On a personal note I would like to congratulate him on an outstanding career and wish him in the very best in whatever may follow. He has set very high standards throughout his time in the game, is a model professional and should be immensely proud of everything he has achieved.” Solanki was PCA chairman between 2009 and 2013 and his election was recognition of the esteem in which he was held by his fellow professionals. {{ak_sharing}}
