Lancashire veteran Steven Croft announces retirement from professional cricket

Lancashire all-rounder Steven Croft recently came forward and announced his retirement from professional cricket. It is worth noting that Croft retired from first-class and List A cricket after the end of the 2023 summer. He had signed a T20 deal ahead of this season’s campaign. 

However, he has decided to fully retire from professional cricket, and shortly after his retirement, Croft will be joining the club’s coaching staff on a full-time basis. It is worth noting that between June 2006 and July 2018, Croft played 148 consecutive T20 matches for Lancashire. 

He finished his career as the club’s leading T20 run scorer with 5,486 runs. Announcing his retirement, Steven Croft took centre stage and talked about his journey.

“My dream as a boy was to play one game for Lancashire, in the end it became over 600. So, after just over two decades of playing for the Club, I have taken the decision to retire as a player,” Croft was quoted as saying by Lancashire Cricket. 

“I can confidently say I have realised my dream and more, and what a ride it has been. To go with the games, runs, wickets and catches, I have played alongside some of my heroes and many greats of the game. There have been so many highlights along the way, too. Winning the County Championship in 2011 will stay with me forever. The 2015 T20 Blast too, what a great night that was! But also, being awarded my county cap and being appointed club captain were special moments,” he added.

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I would like to congratulate Steven on an incredible Lancashire career: Mark Chilton

After his retirement, many from Lancashire Cricket expressed themselves and talked about the career that he led. Lancashire’s Director of Cricket, Mark Chilton, came forward and congratulated Croft on his magnificent career. 

“On behalf of everyone at the Club, I would like to congratulate Steven on an incredible Lancashire career. Steven epitomises everything good about this Club. He is an outstanding individual who always puts the team first and anyone who has watched him knows that Steven puts his heart and soul into every game and his record speaks for itself,” Chilton said.