Profiles / Editor / 06 June 2007 /

All-rounder Ronnie Irani has rejected Essex's new contract offer and will retire from first-class cricket at the end of the season.
The former England man has been plagued by knee problems for the past few years, which has prevented him bowling for the last four seasons.

The 36-year-old revealed the county wanted him to stay on but he felt that the time was fast approaching for him to call it a day.
"Essex offered me a new two-year deal but my right-knee condition is so acute that I would be kidding everyone if I accepted it.
"I'm immensely disappointed but I've loved every minute of my time here."

Irani played 31 times for England's one-day side and was made Essex skipper in 2000. He led the county to a successful defence of the 40-over league title last season and and hopes to be remembered fondly by the club's fans.

"I want to make sure that every one of the club's supporters will say that Ronnie Irani gave everything and that he never took a penny without performing," he added. "Since I gave up bowling in 2003, my batting has really come on but my deteriorating health means that there is no realistic chance of me playing a meaningful role in the 2008 or 2009 seasons."

Irani will be looking to go out on a high and Essex, who sit in fourth in the second tier of the County Championship, are trading at 11.5 to lift the title with leaders Nottinghamshire 1.42 favourites.

Meanwhile, Essex are also available at 13 to win the Friends Provident Trophy 4.4 favourites to win the Pro40.

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