Sussex fast bowler Steven Finn has announced his retirement.

The three-time Ashes winner, 34, says he has “admitted defeat” in a long-running battle against various injuries.

He missed more than a year with a knee problem.

Then, on his comeback recently, he suffered a back problem while bowling and fielding against Durham at Hove in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.

 

He thanked Sussex for their support in that time.

In a statement, Finn said: "I want to thank Sussex Cricket for their support over the last 12 months especially and for welcoming me wholeheartedly into the club at the beginning of last season.

"It really is a great place to play cricket and I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to play more of a part on the field since joining the club.

"I retire with some amazing memories with England, Middlesex and Sussex, shared with fantastic people. Those will live with me forever."

Finn admitted: “I have been fighting a battle with my body for the last 12 months and have admitted defeat to it.

“Cricket has given me a lot and I hope to give back to the game in some capacity in the future. But, for now, I’ll enjoy watching on without wondering whether my body will be able to make it through another day’s cricket.”

Finn took 125 wickets in 36 Tests at an average of 30.4 between 2010 and 2016 for England, but he had drifted out of contention a while ago and has played no first-class cricket since July last year.