Australian and NSW SpeedBlitz Blues opening batsman Phil Jaques, 32, is to retire from Australian First Class cricket at the conclusion of the 2011/12 season to take up a contract with Yorkshire CCC in England, where he will play as a local player on a British passport.
Jaques, who made his First Class debut for NSW in the 2000/01 season, has to date played in 77 First Class matches for NSW, scoring 5659 runs at an average of 41.30, with 14 centuries and a highest score of 240no against Queensland in 2004/05.
His One Day record for NSW is also impressive, having scored 2340 runs at an average of 39.66 in 66 matches. Jaques once held the record for the highest One Day score for NSW (171 no v Queensland at the SCG in February 2010) which has since been bettered by Daniel Smith’s 185no v Victoria in November 2011.
In addition, Phil played in 14 State T20 matches scoring 322 runs at an average of 26.83.
At the international level, Phil was unlucky to have played just eleven Test matches, where he scored 902 runs at the superb average of 47.47, with three centuries. A back injury cruelly ended his international career just as he was establishing himself in the Australian team.
Cricket NSW Chief Executive David Gilbert paid tribute to Jaques’ career with NSW : “Phil has made an outstanding contribution to the NSW team over the past decade and we wish him all the best as he continues his playing career with Yorkshire in the English County Competition.”
Jaques said he was sad to be leaving Australian cricket:
“At the end of the season I will be retiring from First Class cricket in Australia to take up a contract with Yorkshire CCC as a local player on my British passport. I have made this decision with my family in mind and I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time playing cricket for NSW and Australia and have always considered it a privilege. I have also made plenty of great friends along the way. I hope to remain involved with Cricket NSW in some capacity in the future. My 11 years playing for NSW have helped me to grow as a player and person and I appreciate all of their support I have received over the years. I walk away with no regrets knowing that I have given 100% every time I have walked onto the ground and I will continue to do this until the end of the season.”
