Northamptonshire’s all-time leading T20 wicket taker Graeme White has announced his retirement from professional cricket.

White made 276 appearances across all formats with 189 for Northamptonshire, the left-arm-spinner claimed 280 wickets in a career spanning 18 years.

“The club has and will always hold a special place in my heart. I’m a local lad and to put on the shirt as many times as I have at Wantage Road in front of our fans has been amazing.”

“The fans have always been so supportive throughout my career and I hope that I’ve repaid them with performances that they’ve enjoyed and made them proud of.” White said.

The 36-year-old’s association with Northamptonshire began back in 2001, when he became the youngest cricketer on the newly-created Academy at Wantage Road.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have played for nearly 20 years, something I couldn’t have imagined when I first joined the academy at 13.”

“I’ve been incredibly lucky to play with and against the best players in the world, and to have won the trophies I have it’s just been a dream really.”

He made his first-class debut in 2006, shortly after representing England in the Under-19s World Cup in Sri Lanka, but a shortage of first-team opportunities prompted his move to Nottinghamshire in 2010.

Back at Northampton on loan during 2013 – and then returning on a permanent basis from the following season – he shone in the shorter formats especially, helping the Steelbacks reach the T20 final in 2015 and win the trophy in 2016 when he was also named the national player of the year in the 50-over Cup and earned selection for England Lions.

In 2018 he decided to focus exclusively on white-ball cricket, and his extraordinary hitting in the team’s final T20 group match at Edgbaston in 2020 – 37 not out off just 12 balls, including four sixes – propelled Northamptonshire into the quarter-finals. 

White was awarded his Northamptonshire cap in 2021, the first cricketer to receive the accolade predominantly for his achievements in the shorter formats and admits his white ball achievements have been the highlight of his career.

“Winning the T20 Blast in 2016 will always be a massive highlight for me. I had a really good season that year and to lift that trophy after the heartbreak in the final the year before was just incredible.

“To also be leaving as the club’s all time T20 wicket taker is something that I’m incredibly proud of.” He added.

White has continued to make a strong impact off the field in 2023 as Head Coach of the Club’s Second XI alongside the role of Lead Fielding and Spin Bowling Coach for the County and he has plans to continue his coaching journey after retirement.

“I’m really fortunate to be continuing my journey in cricket as the 2XI Head Coach, as well as the Lead Fielding and Spin Bowling coach.”

“I look forward to helping the club be successful again in all formats, and hopefully we are able to get the supporters a trophy they deserve.”

White calls time as the Club’s all-time leading wicket taker in T20s and only Alex Wakely has exceeded White’s tally of 113 appearances in the shortest format