Luke Wright retires from Sussex – to take over as England cricket selector

Wright’s new role – which starts next March – is a fantastic opportunity for him, but his retirement is a big loss to Sussex, who had hoped to have him back in their T20 Blast team in 2023.

In over 400 matches for the club across all formats, Wright accumulated over 16,000 runs and 30 centuries. To this day, he is the highest scorer in T20 Blast history with 5026 runs for the Sharks.

The explosive batsman has spent 18 years at the County Ground and was part of the Sussex teams that won the County Championship in 2006 and 2007.

Ever present at the top of the order, Wright also helped to deliver the T20 Cup in 2009, as well as consecutive Pro40 titles in 2008 and 2009.

Wright said: “A huge thank you to Sussex for the most incredible 19 seasons at the club. I am very proud of what I achieved individually and as a team during my time. I would like to thank everyone connected to the club for the support I've had ever since moving here. I gave my everything and I hope that showed on the pitch.

“I would also like to thank my friends and family for the love, support and sacrifices they gave to make my career possible. And finally, my brother Ashley who has been my batting coach from start to finish. I will always be a Sussex fan”

While he became known as one of the best in the game with the bat, Wright was a genuine all-rounder in his earlier years. He took 118 wickets in First-Class cricket at an average of 38.81, and with best figures of 5-65.

As well as delivering domestic trophies and records, Wright was a major part of England’s World T20 winning team in 2010, and although he was known for his ability to smash boundaries all over the ground, he dismissed the in-form Cameron White in the final against Australia.

Sussex coach and former teammate of Wright, James Kirtley, said: "I was there at the start as a player when he was an exciting young talent and one that you couldn’t help but want to support and nurture, but very quickly he found his own feet and made it to international cricket.

"He took the T20 game by storm and I feel very privileged to have been there at the end as a coach to see him make 5000 T20 runs.