Batsman Rajesh Rao has reached a settlement with Sussex and left by mutual consent.

The 25-year-old says he won't be looking for another county. Instead, Rao plans to spend the summer playing club cricket close to his north London home before going to university in September to study sports science.

He has been leading scorer in the 2nd XI for the last three years, but has retired because of a lack of first team opportunities at Hove.

"I scored a lot of runs in the seconds last year but, to be honest, they meant nothing because I don't believe they earned me enough chances in the first team. I just got more and more frustrated," said Rao.

"It was a big decision because I have made a lot of friends in my four years with Sussex and I'll never forget the time I had there. But I sat down last month and couldn't see the situation changing much this season, especially as they have signed another batsman in Will House.

"You see guys at other counties who are just content to sit in the seconds and see out their contract. I could have got fixed up somewhere else, but I would had to prove myself all over again so I've decided to concentrate on my studies instead."

Rao played in the first three Championship matches last season before he was dropped and made just three one-day appearances, top-scoring with 67 in the fifth round defeat by Somerset in the Nat West Trophy.

His greatest day for the county came in 1997 when his brilliant 158 steered Sussex to a famous victory at Derby in the quarter-final of the same competition. It remained the county's highest one-day score until skipper Chris Adams blazed 163 in a National League match against Middlesex at Arundel last season.

Coach Peter Moores believes that Rao has made the right decision. He said: "Raj was getting frustrated which was understandable, but we couldn't guarantee him the opportunities he felt he deserved. He leaves us on good terms and we wish him all the best in whatever he decides to do in the future."

Sussex's squad report back for pre-season training on Monday with only Australian Michael Bevan missing. He is due back on April 17 after playing three one-day internationals in South Africa early next month.

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