FORMER Worcestershire seam bowler Kabir Ali has announced his retirement from first-class cricket because of a serious shoulder injury.

The 34-year-old former England, Worcestershire, Hampshire and Lancashire seamer suffered the injury playing in last season’s NatWest T20 Blast semi-final.

He was released by Lancashire at the end of the season but underwent surgery in the hope he might be able to continue his county career.

Now Kabir has now been told further surgery is required.

“I underwent major surgery and did all the rehab but come Christmas time when I tried to bowl I struggled to get any pace,” said Kabir.

“I went out to Barbados in the hope that the hot conditions might help the process as a last resort but I couldn’t gather any pace no matter what I tried.

“Doctors have suggested that I need further surgery and that is a one year rehab process and then there is no guarantee on me playing.

“On that basis it would be unfair for me to push myself to other counties.

“It is going to take some adjusting to but I am looking at other avenues like coaching and working with young bowlers to keep me involved in the game.”

Kabir comes from a strong cricketing family in Birmingham and is the cousin of England all-rounder spinner Moeen and Kadeer, who played alongside him at Worcestershire before he moved to Gloucestershire and Leicestershire.

Kabir made his debut for Worcestershire in 1999 and enjoyed a successful 11 year career at New Road during which he played for England in the 2003 Headingley Test against South Africa and took five wickets – including three for 80 in the first innings.

That proved to Kabir’s only Test appearance but he played 14 one-day Internationals between 2003 and 2006 and took 20 wickets.

He played for Hampshire between 2010 and 2012 and helped them win the Clydesdale Bank 40 title in his farewell appearance for them. Kabir played for Lancashire from 2012 to 2013 and also had stints with Rajasthan in India and the Barisal Burners in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Kabir took 500 first-class wicket with 23 five wicket hauls and four ten wicket match returns. His best bowling was eight for 53 against Yorkshire at Scarborough in 2003.

He added: “Moeen is doing very well and we have other youngsters coming through the family who are potentially ones to look out for in the near future.

“Not being able to play is going to be difficult but life moves on. I have got a young family and I am looking forward to spending more time with them.

“I would like to thank Lancashire and Hampshire but especially Worcestershire. They gave me the platform when I was very young and I have made some very good friends along the way.

“I owe a lot to my family both my father Shabir and Moeen’s dad Munir because when we started they struggled to make ends meet but they always spent a lot of time on me, Moeen and Kadeer.

“I’d also like to say a special thank you to Roger Newman who is someone I have been back to throughout my life whenever I have needed advice. He has always been there and guided me through things."