Simon Kerrigan has announced his retirement from professional cricket.
Kerrigan made his debut for Lancashire in 2010 and has gone on to 194 appearances across all formats, claiming 423 wickets with 16 five wicket hauls in first-class cricket.
“I would like to thank all the players and staff for my time at Northamptonshire, especially David Ripley for allowing me the opportunity to get back into the professional game and also John Sadler for showing faith in me and giving me a long term contract.
“The goal when I signed with David Ripley was to strive for the fairytale ending to the second part of my career, disappointingly though over the last couple of seasons that dream has moved further and further out of reach and it feels like the right time for me to move on.”
“I’m proud throughout my career to have given 100% and fought back from each setback along the way.”
In 2017 Kerrigan joined Northamptonshire on loan for the final four Championship fixtures of the season. His haul of 4/62 helped Alex Wakely’s side beat Leicestershire at Grace Road in the last game of the campaign before he returned to Wantage Road on a two-year contract in 2020.
At the start of 2021 he made an emotional return to Old Trafford, shining against his former county with 4-60 from 34 immaculate overs and hitting an unbeaten 45 with the bat. He joined forces with Rob Keogh to bowl Northamptonshire to victory over Kent at Canterbury in 2022, a key result as the County secured Division One status for another season.
“Taking five-wicket hauls for the club, being the championship Vice-Captain for the first part of last year and having the chance to lead the side for small periods all really stand out as memories, as well as playing a part of the first Division 1 championship win last year at Kent.
“I still have a lot of hunger and enthusiasm and feel I can contribute a lot to the game. I’m a cricket badger, cricket has been a massive part in my life and I hope that it will continue to do so moving forward.”
“I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in my development and career from friends, family, coaches and players.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to have played with and against some of the greats of the game (and even got a few of them out!), if you said that would happen when I was a 15 year old left arm seamer barely making it in the second team for my club side Fulwood and Broughton I wouldn’t have believed you.”
“I wish everyone at Northants all the best for the future and hope the lads can find a way to cope without me, no matter how hard they find it. And P.S. Jack White is going to need someone to make all his brews for him.”
Kerrigan ends his first-class career with 364 wickets at 31.68, including 54 in 25 matches for Northamptonshire.