Dual sportsman Phil Neale hangs up his boots after five Ashes series victories

Neale, a right-hand batsman who captained Worcestershire to two County Championship titles and two Sunday League titles, and who played on the left side for Lincoln City, has brought down the curtain on a 45-year career in professional sport.

During his time as operations manager, a post he held since 1999, the 66-year-old served under six head coaches, 11 Test captains, and worked on 257 Test matches, 422 one-day internationals and 110 T20 internationals.

“I was not sure that I would ever know when it would be the right time to call it a day, but I am pretty sure that I have got it right when I say that time is now,” said Neale.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in professional sport as a player, coach and finally as an operations manager.

“I consider myself very lucky to have been able to spend all my working life in a dressing room environment. It has been a privilege to witness at close quarters the achievements of the many players that have come through the England teams while I have been involved, and to have been part of some memorable team achievements.

“The five Ashes series victories and the T20 World Cup win in 2010 were very special, but the icing on the cake was the World Cup victory in 2019 at Lord’s.

“We have some very talented cricketers coming through now, and I envisage some more exciting times for England cricket in the future.”

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