Perry Calls It a Day

Veteran Jamaica off-spinner Nehemiah Perry has announced his retirement from first class cricket.

"There are other things to life. I've played 17 years of first class cricket. You try to motivate yourself to get up and go to practice, but sometimes it's not there. I have a young family and I'd like to spend more time with them," Perry said, moments after playing in the Carib Beer finals against Barbados.

Perry said he contemplated retirement last year, but with key players such as Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels unavailable this year due to injury, he stuck around to add stability to the inexperienced Jamaican side.

"I'm 36 this year. I don't think the West Indies is looking at me. Probably if they were, I would continue."

Perry appeared in four Test matches for the West Indies in the late 1990s, taking a five-wicket haul on debut against Australia. He also played in 21 ODIs for the regional side, finishing with 20 at 39.15.

In 98 first class matches, Perry took 295 wickets at 25.20.

An insurance sales agent, Perry plans to further his studies in the field. He will continue to play Senior Cup cricket for Kingston Cricket Club.

Jamaican team manager Maurice Clarke believes Perry's retirement will "leave a large hole in the cricket fraternity."

"His level of professionalism is something to talk about," Clarke said.

Jamaica captain and West Indies opener, Chris Gayle added: "He will be missed. He's always a team man, he's enjoyable to talk to and get a lot of laughter from. He is always encouraging players. A good all-rounder, I think he had another year in him but unfortunately he chose to retire this year."