Stephen Moore retires from cricket

Moore departs Derbyshire as the county's top scorer this season (©GettyImages).

Derbyshire opening batsman, Stephen Moore, has retired from cricket with immediate effect, citing family reasons as a factor in his decision.

The 33-year-old leaves the Division Two side midway through the season, whilst being their leading run-scorer for the current campaign.

Opportunities away from sport

Despite being a regular in the side this year, he also stated that career opportunities away from the sport were another important factor in helping him make his decision.

This season he has scored 547 runs, drawing the curtain over his playing career in the entertaining way in which he performed throughout. He moved to Derbyshire just last winter, but also enjoyed happy years with Worcestershire and Lancashire. In spite of being touted to play international cricket, he never won a cap.

Born in Johannesburg in November 1980, Moore was considered for an England call-up following a century against Australia for the Lions in 2009, but wasn’t selected.

2011 County Championship

His County career began with Worcestershire back in 2003, for whom he would represent for seven successive seasons.  That was followed by a move to the side he had the most success with, Lancashire, and in 2011, he played his part in helping them to win Division One of the County Championship.

From 145 four-day outings, the right-hander scored 8,843 runs at an average of 36.39 - that also included 17 centuries. An average above 30 was also sustained in the one-day game.

Derbyshire have been forced to relent the services of one of their most prolific batsmen, whilst languishing near the foot of the Division Two table. They currently sit eighth, having won just one game all season.

That victory came against Leicestershire, a game in which Moore scored 76 in the second innings, as the Falcons won by nine wickets.

Current struggles

The recently-relegated side are in danger of ending the year as the lowest ranked County Championship side too. Leicestershire are only four points behind, despite the fact that they have not yet won a game all year.

Sitting bottom of the Northern Group of the Natwest T20 Blast, supporters can only glint at the upcoming Royal London Cup with any hope or optimism.

And Moore’s departure - respectful to his wishes - will hamper the side and the teammates who he is leaving. In an age where players are generally elongating their playing careers, it is rare to see a cricketer retire at the age of 33 - unless it is due to a career-ending injury.