Hyderabad: Windies pacer Cecil Wright has announced that he will retire from the sport at the ripe old age of 85.
Wright, in his younger days, represented Jamaica and even played against Barbados, lining up against Gary Sobers and Wes Hall. He then moved to England in 1959 and launched a career as a professional in the Central Lancashire League for Crompton.
Wright even played with Viv Richards and Joel Garner, who were a force to reckon with in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Cecil is seemed to have taken 7000 wickets in a career spanning more than 60 years.
At one point he took 538 wickets in five seasons, averaging one every 27 balls.
But now it seems that the speedster has understood that his time is up in professional cricket.
"I wish I knew the reason for my longevity, but I couldn't tell you what it is," told Cecil to a leading English daily.
He once attributed his staying power to his love of traditional no-frills Lancashire food such as a hot pot.
"To be honest I eat anything that's going but I don't drink much, just the odd beer," he was quoted as saying.
"And I keep fit, although these days I use my age as an excuse to miss training.
"I find keeping active helps to ease aches and pains.
"I don't like to sit still and watch TV, I would rather have a walk or potter about in the garage.
Wright will bring down the final curtain on his career on Saturday September 7, turning out for Uppermill, near Oldham, against Pennine League side Springhead.
