I should probably write a book about it all: Myburgh calls time on playing career with open letter

Somerset batsman Johann Myburgh, who has been at the club since 2014, has made more than 11,000 career runs across cricket's three formats during his career, including almost 3,000 for the Taunton outfit

^{Somerset batsman Johann Myburgh is calling time on his playing career}

Johann Myburgh is to retire from professional cricket at the end of the English summer.

The Somerset batsman, who has been at the club since 2014, has made more than 11,000 career runs across cricket's three formats during his career, including almost 3,000 for the Taunton outfit.

He has set his sights on winning the T20 Blast as a goodbye present to the county and, in an emotional open letter, thanked all those who have helped him settle in the south west.

"When I joined Somerset it only took me a couple of weeks to realise that I had made a great decision," he wrote.

"It didn’t take long for me to hope that I would get the opportunity to finish my long and winding career here. My career has been an interesting journey filled with so many people to thank and life lessons learned, that I should probably write a book about it all. Today however, is about letting the big Somerset family know that I have decided to retire at the end of the season.

^{Myburgh has been at Somerset since 2014}

"What a special place this has been for me and I have felt so at home here in Taunton. My boy Joshua was born at Musgrove Park Hospital and I’m convinced that I now have Somerset blood pumping in my veins.

My team-mates have of course played a massive role in my enjoyable time here in the south-west. I have made friendships that will last forever, seen young boys turn into men and enjoyed the inner child in the seasoned guys. I want to take this opportunity to thank you all for the great times both on and off the field and more importantly, for accepting me into your changing room and making it ours.

"Thank you to the coaches and support staff, without the sacrifices that you guys make on a daily basis, the sustained progress of this club would not be possible. Further, to the staff of Somerset CCC; you are some of the friendliest, most helpful people I have met and I owe so many of you favours that I can’t count them all."

JOHAN MYBURGH: CAREER STATS

First-class: 108 matches, 109 innings, 6,841 runs, ave 40.96, 16 100s, 39 50s

List A: 118 matches, 111 innings, 2,949 runs, ave 29.49, 1 100, 19 50s

T20: 86 matches, 78 innings, 1,945 runs, ave 29.02, 1 100, 10 50s