Bowler Jack Brooks to leave Somerset at end of 2023 campaign

Since joining the club in 2019, Brooks has taken 125 wickets in 63 appearances across all formats

Jack Brooks will leave Somerset when his contract expires at the end of 2023, ending his five-season stay at Taunton.

The bowler joined the club ahead of the 2019 campaign following stints with Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and Yorkshire and has taken 125 wickets in 63 appearances across the formats.

Particularly prolific with the red ball, he has 85 wickets at 28.55 in 30 first-class outings for Somerset.

He took a further 21 wickets in 15 List A appearances and 19 wickets in 18 T20 Blast matches, including featuring three times as Somerset won the latter competition in 2023.

Recently, the 39-year-old has found regular game time hard to come by, spending time on loan at Sussex, Worcestershire and Nottinghamshire over the past two campaigns.

He is the second player to confirm his departure from the club over the past few days, joining veteran wicketkeeper Steve Davies.

^{Brooks has taken 125 wickets in 63 appearances for Somerset [Harry Trump/Getty Images]}

^{Jacks won the T20 Blast with Somerset in 2023 [Alex Davidson/Getty Images]}

Brooks said: "It's the end of my Somerset journey and it's been an amazing five years. I've got a lot of fond memories of my time here and my only disappointment is that we didn't win the Championship, although we came close.

"To win the Blast this year was fantastic because I'd not been involved in a white-ball winning side before.

"I've always played the game in the way that I would like to watch it, and hopefully the supporters have been able to enjoy and feed off that energy. It's great to be able to chat with them after the game and also in town when you're having a coffee or doing your shopping. To be able to have a positive influence on people's emotions is really rewarding. I'll definitely miss that side of things."

Hinting this could be the end of his professional career, he continued: "There was always going to come a time when I finished, and I'd rather go out on a bit of a high. We won the Blast this year and I took a five-for [against Hampshire], and that's better than just hobbling off into the distance."

Director of cricket, Andy Hurry, added: "Jack has added so much to our environment since joining us back in the winter of 2018. His enthusiasm and passion for the game are clearly evident to everyone both on and off the field, and he has given so much to the game and to all of our teams.

"His willingness to work with and develop aspiring players, alongside his determination to succeed, is a shining example to everyone."

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• Somerset wicketkeeper Steve Davies to retire from cricket at end of 2023 season