Angus Fraser has announced that he is retiring from cricket to pursue a career in the media. Fraser, 36, who played 46 Tests for England during a career with Middlesex which began in 1984, has been appointed as the Independent newspaper's cricket correspondent, a vacancy created by the departure of another former England player, Derek Pringle, to the Daily Telegraph.

Fraser increased his media role over the winter, working for the BBC and Sky Sports as well as Wisden Online. He recently joined the Editorial Board of Wisden Cricket Monthly.

In all he took 177 Test wickets at 27.32 in a stop-start international career which was blighted by injuries and the whims of the selectors. He hardly played between 1990 and 1992 after a hip injury was misdiagnosed, but bounced back to take eight wickets as England upset Australia in the 1993 Oval Test. In 1997-98 he came back after being written off again by many, to take 8 for 53 in Trinidad, the best figures by an England bowler against West Indies. On the previous tour, in 1993-94, he had taken 8 for 75 in Barbados, as England became the first touring side to win a Test there for 58 years. In all Fraser took 70 wickets against West Indies at 23.70, 54 of them in the Caribbean - a record for any visiting bowler.

"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," Fraser told the Independent.

"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."

His retirement leaves Middlesex with a much-weakened seam attack, and also looking for a new captain, as Fraser was due to lead them again in 2002 after taking up the reins last year. Opener Andrew Strauss, 25 and recently appointed as Fraser's vice-captain, is the favourite to take up the challenge.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd