Stephen Moore: Derbyshire batsman announces retirement

Derbyshire batsman Stephen Moore has announced his immediate retirement from cricket, midway through the season.

Moore, 33, had been a regular in the side and is the club's leading first-class run-scorer this season with 547.

The former Worcestershire and Lancashire batsmen cited family reasons and career opportunities outside cricket as motivation for the decision.

    “I can't speak highly enough of Derbyshire for the way they have handled my decision to retire ”

Stephen Moore

Derbyshire all-rounder Peter Burgoyne, 20, and wicketkeeper Richard Johnson, 25, have also left the County Ground.

Moore began his county career at Worcestershire in 2003 before moving to Lancashire, where he won the County Championship in 2011, during a three-year stay.

Moore, who joined Derbyshire in December 2013, said: "I can't speak highly enough of Derbyshire for the way they have handled my decision to retire, and for the warmth of my welcome and subsequent support for my family and I during my short stay at the club."

The Johannesburg-born player was briefly touted as a Test prospect for England, particularly after he hit a pre-Ashes century against Australia while on Lions duty in 2009, but the call never came.

Moore leaves the game with 9,390 first-class runs at 36.25 and 6,241 runs in the limited-overs formats.

Johnson, signed by Derbyshire at the start of last season, leaves the club to enter full-time education, while Burgoyne, having been granted personal leave in March, will spend time away from the professional game to deal with stress-related issues.

"It's been a tough few months and a tough decision but I am really looking forward to playing club cricket again for a few months before making a decision about my future," said Burgoyne.