England Ashes hero and fast bowler RETIRES at 34 after beating Australia three times and taking 125 test wickets

FORMER England player Steven Finn has retired from cricket aged 34.

The fast bowler took 125 wickets and helped England beat Australia in three Ashes series.

Finn was part of the famous England side that beat the Aussies down under in 2010-11.

The bowler also helped England become the number one ranked Test team after beating India the following summer, and he was part of Ashes-winning teams in 2013 and 2015.

Finn represented England on 126 occasions in total across all formats, with his last appearance coming in 2017.

At county level he played for Middlesex between 2006-2021 before joining Sussex.

But injury prevented him from getting back to his best and Finn feels his body is no longer up to the rigours of professional cricket.

He released a statement announcing his retirement, which read: "I have been fighting a battle with my body for the last 12 months and have admitted defeat to it.

"I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to play cricket as my vocation since I made my debut for Middlesex in 2005. The journey hasn't always been smooth, but I have loved it nonetheless.

"To have played 126 games for England, including 36 Tests, far surpassed what I dreamed of. I want to thank Sussex Cricket for their support over the last 12 months especially and for welcoming me wholeheartedly into the club at the beginning of last season.

"It really is a great place to play cricket and I'm sorry that I wasn't able to play more of a part on the field since joining the club.

"I retire with some amazing memories with England, Middlesex and Sussex, shared with fantastic people. Those will live with me forever."