Fraser - playing days nearly over Photo Paul McGregor

Middlesex captain Angus Fraser is retiring from county cricket in order to take a job on a national newspaper.

The former England opening bowler is to become cricket correspondent of The Independent newspaper after 18 years in top cricket. It included a 46-Test England career of ten years in which he took 177 wickets in 46 Tests at an average of 27.32.

Fraser said: "Although the emotional wrench of leaving Middlesex will be huge I'm certain I'm making the right decision. All I have had from the county is 100% support.

"When you've been a player for as long as I have you do wonder whether you'll enjoy anything quite as much as playing, but I've spent a lot of this winter writing and commentating and enjoyed it hugely.

"I always wanted to stay in the game, which meant a career in the media, coaching or as an administrator. Having got a taste for the media work, that's where I see my future."

"I've loved playing, but as you get older you quickly realise that your playing days are at an end."

Middlesex have agreed to release Angus from his contract. "It is the end of an era," said Phil Edmonds, the Club Chairman. "Gus has been a magnificent servant of the club and England and we are very sorry to lose him.

"He did a great job for us last year as captain and we would have loved him to continue with the improvements the club have recently made, but opportunities like this do not come along very often, and Gus and the club are right to consider his longer term future. We wish him every success."

Fraser will continue as captain of Middlesex until the 6th May, when Andrew Strauss will take over as captain.

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