Yorkshire cricketer makes shocking 'retirement' at age of 19

Yorkshire's Barney Gibson made an early end to his cricketing career to pursue other opportunities.

Teenage years are the time when a domestic first-class cricketer dreams of playing for his country. But Yorkshire player Barney Gibson shocked the world by announcing his retirement at the age of 19.

Gibson, who became the youngest cricketer to play in a first-class match in England when he made his Yorkshire debut on April 2, 2011 at 15 years and 27 days, cancelled his contract with immediate effect with the Yorkshire Academy on Friday. The reason for the youngster to quit the game is to pursue other career opportunities.

"This was a difficult decision to make," Gibson said in a statement. "I would like to thank the players and staff at Yorkshire for their support. I have been involved with the club since I was 11 and I feel that now is the right time for me to look at a career change.

"The support from my parents has been tremendous and I would like to thank Ralph Middlebrook at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club and England coach Paul Farbrace, who I had close working relationships with," he added. In his first-class debut at Durham MCCU at its University Grounds, the wicket-keeper Gibson took six catches for the match and scored an unbeaten 1 batting at No.11.

Yorkshire's Director of Cricket Development Ian Dews, who has coached the Pudsey-born Gibson for a number of years, wished him well. "Everyone at the Club wishes Barney well," he said. "It is very much his decision. We hope that the next chapter in his life is very successful," said Dews on the Yorkshire CCC website.