Sussex's Matt Prior has retired from all professional cricket at the age of 33, because of injury.

The ex-England wicketkeeper failed to recover full fitness after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon at the end of last summer and has called time on his career.

Prior played the last of his 79 Tests against India at Lord's 11 months ago, before announcing then he would need an extended break because of his heel problem.

He had hoped to return for the start of this season with Sussex but has reluctantly had to decide instead there will be no comeback.

Matt Prior has retired from all professional cricket at the age of 33, because of injury.

Prior, a member of three Ashes-winning teams, hit seven Test centuries and was a renowned counter-attacking force in the England team which rose to number one in the International Cricket Council rankings four years ago.

He said: ''Today is a very sad day for me, as I am forced to announce my retirement from the game I love.

''I had been hoping and expecting to be fit for the start of the 2015 season.

''Unfortunately, this has proved impossible, and I have now had to reach this decision.''