Spriegel tweets news of retirement

Matthew Spriegel, the former Surrey and Northamptonshire allrounder, has announced his retirement via Twitter. Spriegel, 27, was released by Northamptonshire at the end of the 2014 season and he has decided not to look for another club.

Spriegel joined Northamptonshire at the end of 2012, having come through the academy at Surrey. A useful batsman whose offspin was particularly effective in white-ball cricket, he played a vital role in Surrey's 2011 Clydesdale Bank 40 victory, hitting the winning runs at Lord's, and was also an ever-present as Northamptonshire won the Friends Life t20 in 2013.

He moved in search of more first-class opportunities but, despite being involved in Northamptonshire's Championship promotion, only managed three half-centuries in two seasons. Northants endured a difficult 2014, failing to get out of their group in either limited-overs competition and finishing bottom of Division One.

Spriegel tweeted: "I would like to take this opportunity to thanks my team-mates, coaches and fans of both Surrey and Northamptonshire for their support. I have been so lucky to have played cricket professionally for the last nine years. I have been fortunate to play with and against some of the best players in the world. Along the way I travelled the country and the world making lifelong friends and memories doing something I love.

"Hitting the winning runs in a Lord's final and winning the T20 are moments that I will treasure for the rest of my life. Finally I would like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support through the highs and lows (there were plenty) of my career."