AFP
 
London, Sep 23: Former England fast bowler Darren Gough's first-class cricket career came to an end on Monday after he was left out of the Yorkshire squad for their final County championship match of the season.

Yorkshire captain Gough, 38, was omitted from the 13-man party for their match away to champions Sussex starting on Wednesday, which could determine the relegation-threatened county's status.

A Yorkshire statement said: "Yorkshire's survival in the LV County Championship Division One hinges on the last round of matches as they head for Hove this week with Jonathan Bairstow set to make his debut, but minus skipper Darren Gough, who has played his last first-class game of cricket."

Gough had already announced this would be his final season, after suffering a series of niggling injuries in the county championship summer.

And following Monday's announcement, he told BBC Radio Five Live: "I wasn't disappointed because I picked the team!

"Some people said I should go for the romantic ending but it's not about me, it's about Yorkshire staying up.

"I really went back to the old times in my first spell against Somerset last week and anyone who seen it will know what I mean.

"That really took it out of me and I was struggling."

Gough, who now seems set to join a growing band of former England players in pursuing a media career, said he could not see himself becoming a coach at Yorkshire where ex-England batsman Martyn Moxon heads up the backroom staff.

"It was very emotional for me coming off the other day thinking it could be my last game for Yorkshire," he said.

"I would like to keep in touch with Yorkshire but I don't think I'll be a coach there, it's not something I want to do, but an ambassador's role would be ideal."

After what turned out to be his final match, against title-chasing Somerset at the Yorkshire out-ground of Scarborough last weekend, Gough said he was pleased to have got one over on former Australia batsman Justin Langer.

"When I look back I'm glad my last wicket was Justin Langer. I've had some great battles against him and it's nice to know my last wicket in Yorkshire was someone as good as him."

In 58 Tests between 1994 and 2003, Gough took 229 wickets at an average of 28.39, placing him ninth in England's all-time list, and he won fans all around the world as much because of his lively personality as his bowling.

Gough, who also had a three-year spell with Essex before rejoining Yorkshire as captain in 2007, took 855 first-class wickets at 27.15 apiece with a best of seven for 28.

He bows out as England's most successful ODI bowler, with 234 wickets from 158 matches at an average of 26.29 and a best of five for 44.