GLAMORGAN batsman Will Bragg has announced his retirement from cricket with immediate effect at the age of 31.

Bragg, from Newport, was only able to play a handful of County Championship matches in 2017 due to illness, but he did enjoy a successful Royal London One-Day Cup campaign when he registered a career-best 94 against the Kent Spitfires at Swansea.

“It’s been a great experience to come through the age groups of Welsh Cricket and represent Glamorgan for over a decade,” said Bragg.

“Last season was a frustrating one for me personally and I believe now is the right time for me to step away from the game and start focusing on building a new career in another area.

“I’ve always been proactive about my life away from the game, and while it may be odd not to be reporting back to training with the lads this winter I am enthused and excited by what the future holds for me.

“I’d like to thank all those people who have supported me over the years and I leave offering nothing but the best wishes for the club moving forward.”

Born in Newport, Will initially signed for Glamorgan as Mark Wallace’s understudy behind the stumps, before developing into a specialist top-order batsman.

He made his Championship debut for Glamorgan in 2007 and during his first full season in the 1st XI in 2011, he scored his maiden century against Leicestershire at Colwyn Bay.

An assertive top-order batsman, he enjoyed his most consistent season for the Welsh county in 2016 when he switched to No. 3 from opening and passed 1,000 first-class runs for the third time, hitting a career-best 161 not out against Essex in Cardiff.

He went on to score more than 5,500 first-class runs for Glamorgan across an impressive 11-year career.

“Will Bragg has been an integral part of Glamorgan for more than a decade,” said Glamorgan chief executive Hugh Morris.

“He was a big part of the dressing room and a fine batsman for the club, so it’s sad to see his career end prematurely.

“Will can look back on his professional career with great pride and on behalf of the club, the committee and all our supporters I want to thank him for his dedication to Glamorgan and wish him and his family all the very best in the future.”