Staffordshire legend Peter Wilshaw has retired from county cricket.
The 36-year-old made the announcement following the conclusion of Staffs’ final National Counties Cricket Association Championship match of the season against Lincolnshire at Checkley. It was Wilshaw’s 98th Championship appearance for the county.
Wilshaw scored 5,841 runs for Staffordshire after making his debut as a 16-year-old in a Championship match against Suffolk at Ransomes back in 2004. He also took 11 wickets.
The right-hander made his one-day bow the following season and has been a constant presence in the Staffordshire side ever since. He scored almost 2,000 runs in limited-overs cricket.
‘It’s been an honour’
Meakins batsman Wilshaw, who captained the county in three-day cricket in 2021 and 2022, said: “It is a decision that I have been mulling over for a while.
“Now seems to be the perfect time to bring the curtain down on my Staffordshire career. As they say, all good things must come to an end.
“It has been a privilege to represent Staffordshire. There are plenty of players who would give everything to play once for the county, so to play as many times as I have has been beyond my wildest dreams.
“And to top that off, I also had the honour of captaining Staffordshire. I followed in the footsteps of great players like Nick Archer, Steve Dean, Richard Harvey, Paul Goodwin and Kadeer Ali.
“I’ve played with and against so many fantastic players and it has enabled me to forge lifelong friendships.”
Wilshaw has been synonymous with Staffordshire cricket in modern times.
He was left out of the first Championship game of this season – at Suffolk – which was the first time Staffs had played a three-dayer without him in the side for 16 years.
Wilshaw was recalled to the side for this game against Lincs as a late replacement for the injured Anis Raza.
However, he has now decided to hang up his county cap as a new era of county cricket is ushered in.
‘Superb record’
Wilshaw departs the NCCA scene having given Staffordshire supporters a whole host of memorable moments.
His tally of 15 Championship centuries leaves him second on the county’s all-time list. He is four behind legendary opener Steve Dean.
Wilshaw helped Staffs to win the Championship title in 2014 – for the first time since 1998 – when they beat Wiltshire in the final.
And he played arguably his finest innings in that match at Salisbury. His second-innings century ultimately turned the contest in Staffordshire’s favour.
Wilshaw was also part of the side which clinched the Eastern Division title in 2019. But they were beaten by Berkshire in the showpiece.
Knockout Trophy success eluded him, though, having featured in the 2009 and 2016 finals. Staffs lost to Norfolk and Herefordshire respectively.
But he did manage to add the Twenty20 Cup to his collection after helping Staffs to be crowned champions earlier this summer.
‘Grateful’
“It has been a fantastic career. I’m so thankful for everything that I have achieved playing minor counties and NCCA cricket,” added Wilshaw.
“I’ll always be a supporter of Staffordshire and will follow their progress keenly.
“Personally, I wish head coach Andy Carr and captain James Kettleborough all the very best as they look to bring future success to Staffs.
“I would also like to thank my team-mates both past and present. The 11 players who are selected to represent Staffordshire in every game should be truly honoured.
“It’s never been about my own performance and stats, it was always about winning.
“That is how I felt as I walked out with the Staffordshire Knot on my chest. It has been a part of my career I will cherish forever.”
Staffs chairman Phil Oliver added: “Peter is one of the true greats of our county set-up and had shed blood, sweat and tears for the cause.
“He should be immensely proud of everything he has achieved while representing Staffordshire. Peter deserves all the plaudits which will come his way.”
Image: Peter Wilshaw was given a guard of honour by his Staffordshire team-mates after retiring following the game against Lincolnshire. Picture: Alfie Shenton
