Tim Bresnan announces retirement: "My head is willing to tackle 2022, my body is not"

Bresnan released a statement via his county Warwickshire in which he explained his decision to call time on a 20-year career

Former England allrounder Tim Bresnan has announced his immediate retirement from all cricket after a 20-year career.

Bresnan released a statement via his county Warwickshire on Monday (January 31) explaining the decision.

He said: "This has been an incredibly tough decision, but after returning to winter training I feel that this is the right time.

"I have continued to work hard throughout the off-season to prepare for my 21st professional year, but deep down I feel I can't reach the high standards that I set myself and my teammates.

"The hunger and enthusiasm that I have for the game I love will never leave me, but whilst my head is willing to tackle the 2022 season, my body is not.

"I will always look back at my career with immense pride and it’s been an absolute honour to represent Warwickshire, my home county and country. Growing up I never would have believed how lucky I was to play with and against some of the finest cricketers to grace the game.

^{Tim Bresnan has retired from all cricket (Harry Trump/Getty Images)}

"These discussions are never easy, but I want to thank Farby [Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire director of cricket], Stuart [Cain, chief executive] and the whole team for their support and understanding."

Bresnan joined Warwickshire on a full-time basis ahead of the 2021 campaign - he spent the previous truncated campaign on loan - and claimed the LV=Insurance County Championship title last season, but won't fulfil the second year of his contract.

He retires having won 142 caps for England across formats; 23 in Tests, 85 in ODIs and 34 in T20Is.

"When I signed my two-year deal, I was tasked to not only help a young side progress on the field but off it as well," he said.

"On reflection, I’m proud of everything we have achieved as a team, and that final day against Somerset will live with me for the rest of my life. I firmly believe this group of players have the potential to build on their success and go from strength to strength."

Most notably, the allrounder was a key figure - though anything but a headline name - as England dominated world cricket under Andy Flower's stewardship.

In 2010, he was part of the T20 side that won the World Cup in the Caribbean, as Paul Collingwood's side beat Australia in the final.

^{Bresnan won 142 England caps and was part of the 2010/11 Ashes-winning squad (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)}

Simultaneously, Bresnan's 13 consecutive Test wins helped England climb to world No.1 in the summer of 2011.

That included a 3-1 Ashes series win in Australia in 2010/11. He played in Melbourne and Sydney, coming for the tiring Steven Finn, taking 11 wickets across the Tests in favourable conditions.

His wicket of Ben Hilfenhaus in the Australia second innings at the MCG ensured the urn would be retained, before victory at the SCG.

Indisputably, that was as good as Bresnan's international career got. It lasted another four years, which included playing in the dismal Ashes whitewash in 2013/14.

Part of two Championship winning teams at Yorkshire in 2014 and 2015, he struck gold moving to Warwickshire as he claimed a third title in his first and only season at the Edgbaston county.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't mean anything," the Yorkshire admitted to The Cricketer on denying Lancashire on the final day of the 2021 campaign. "It doesn't run as deep as people think it does but I am just proud to win another County Championship."

^{Bresnan was also part of the 2010 World T20 win (Emmanuel Dunand/Getty Images)}

There is certainly no feeling that Bresnan is packing away his bowling boots prematurely. He will be 37 by the time the new season begins and has thrown himself fully in each of his 685 professional appearances. 

"I've got no regrets whatsoever," as he put it, "pushing my body to the absolute limit is absolutely fine."

Recently, he became embroiled in the racism scandal engulfing English cricket after being named by Azeem Rafiq during his DCMS committee testimony and witness statement submitted as part of his employment tribunal case against Yorkshire.

The allegations included Bresnan being part of a "double-act" with ex-head coach Andrew Gale, using racist language and belittling Rafiq in front of teammates.

Bresnan, who was at Headingley during both of Rafiq's spells at the club, later apologised for his involvement in bullying the former spinner but denied racially abusing Rafiq. Warwickshire issued no punishment.

Though Bresnan's dozen wickets in 10 Championship matches won't leave a major chasm in the Warwickshire attack, his presence in a dressing room with a core of players in their mid-20s including Ethan and Henry Brookes, Rob Yates, Matt Lamb, Sam Hain, Dom Sibley and captain Will Rhodes will be felt.

Bresnan celebrating with Azeem Rafiq (Daniel L Smith/Getty Images)

Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire director of cricket, added: “Tim has had an astounding career. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with him throughout his cricketing journey and he has been a marvellous servant to the game.

“When Tim joined Warwickshire, I believed he could make a huge impact to our side with his experience, knowledge and attitude, and as a county champion he has certainly achieved that. His performances for the club have been exemplary and the impact he made on that final day against Somerset will be something that no Bear will ever forget.

“During his international career, Tim rose to the occasion when his country needed him and his achievements on the biggest stage show how talented and driven, he is.

“Knowing when to retire is an incredibly difficult decision for every professional sportsman and woman and I know how much time and thought Tim would have made to reach this conclusion. Sadly, for us all, Tim can’t continue, but he deserves a huge amount of credit for making this call with plenty of time ahead of the season.

“Tim has certainly made his mark on this Club and his impact will be missed. We will look to replace him on and off-the-field, whilst welcoming back with open arms when he returns to Edgbaston.”