Michael Powell announces retirement from cricket

Welsh cricketer, Michael Powell has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. The 36 year-old signed for Kent County Cricket Club at the end of the 2011 season, following an outstanding, 15-year association with his home county, Glamorgan.

Powell has amassed more than 13,000 First Class runs during his career, making him one of the more prolific run-scorers on the county circuit. His golden period came in 2006 when he scored 1,327 runs in a season to become Glamorgan’s Player of the Year. His good form, which included back-to-back double centuries against Essex and Gloucestershire, put him into contention for international recognition.

In 2007, he suffered a career-threatening injury when a blood clot in his shoulder forced him to have a rib removed, but went on to make a good contribution at Kent over two seasons.

Powell will return to Wales at the end of the current cricket season, where his partner lives with their baby daughter, Holly. He will take up a position at Thomas Carroll PLC, a Cardiff based multi-discipline consultancy.

Commenting on his retirement, Powell said; “I have had a wonderful career and I owe a lot to many people within cricket. I enjoyed an extremely rewarding career at Glamorgan and have also relished the opportunity to play for Kent over the last two seasons.

"I would like to thank everyone for their continued support throughout my career, including supporters at both at Glamorgan and Kent. I have a number of exciting opportunities on the horizon, and look forward to moving on to the next stage of my career.”

Kent County Cricket Club Chairman of Cricket, Graham Johnson commented on the announcement; "Mike has helped Kent through a transition period, and true to his approach to cricket over a number of years, has done so in a very positive way, adding to all aspects of Kent Cricket.

“I find it particularly pleasing for someone who has added so much to professional cricket that such a positive opportunity has arisen to enable Mike to look forward in his life after cricket. I hope he finds time to come back to see the fruits of what he has helped establish, he will always be welcome.“