David Masters will retire from professional cricket at the end of the 2016 campaign.
Masters has decided to call time on his career after 16 successful years at the highest level which has included representing Essex, Kent and Leicestershire.
The opening-bowler made his first-class debut for Kent against Surrey in 2000 and made is Essex debut in 2008 against Northamptonshire.
Masters has taken 668 first-class and 176 List A wickets in his career to date, at an average of 25.36 and 32.38 respectively. A bowler who moves the ball both ways off the seam, Masters was once in England contention after taking 93 wickets in a single County Championship season.
Having been at the club since 2008, Masters celebrated his benefit year in 2013 and has become a popular figure among supporters and players alike.
Chris Silverwood is sad to see Masters retiring but understands his reasoning’s behind it.
He said: “Dave has been a wonderful servant to the club and also the game. Year after year he has been integral to any successes of the team.
“He is an intelligent cricketer who has taken an abundance of wickets throughout his career. I have been fortunate enough to work with Dave in my six years at the club and wish him well for whatever he moves into going forward.”
Masters understandably spent time thinking about the decision and what was best for both parties moving forward.
He added: “It is always a difficult decision to call time on a career you have loved. I have been fortunate to spend 20 years at the professional level with three fabulous clubs.
“After joining Essex in 2008 I feel I found my home. Everyone at the club has treated me brilliantly from the fans, to the coaching staff and the office staff as well.
“The members have been exceptional and the crowd here at Chelmsford really is the best in the country. I leave the team in a good place with the emergence of a number of fast bowlers at the club. To retire after winning the Division Two title is something you can only dream of.”
