Martyn Ball To Retire From First-class Cricket – 25/01/2007

Martyn Ball To Retire From First-class Cricket – 25/01/2007 Gloucestershire off-spinner Martyn Ball has announced his retirement from professional cricket today. Ball, who spent nineteen seasons with Gloucestershire and also toured India with England in 2001/2, has accepted an opportunity to become sales director for UK & Europe with Real Estate Development Multinational, The Ginn Company*. The 36 year old played in 504 matches in all cricket for Gloucester, between 1988-2006, taking 704 wickets in total and scoring over 6,500 runs. During his career, the club won eight one-day titles, establishing themselves as a major player in limited overs cricket. Ball said, ” I have spent 19 fantastic years at Gloucestershire and have enjoyed becoming an integral part of a hugely successful one-day team. I would like to thank everyone involved along the way, from my first captain David Graveney through to the current captain Jon Lewis; the backroom staff and our fans who have provided fantastic support over the years. ” During my career, I have become heavily involved with the PCA, first as a players’ representative and then as chairman where I enjoyed the honour of becoming spokesman for my fellow professionals. My involvement with the PCA is something I hold close to my heart and I am eager to continue my relationship with them as I make the transition from player to the world of business.” PCA Group Chief Executive Richard Bevan said; ” Martyn has had a distinguished career on the field and has been a superb ambassador for the PCA. During his tenure as Chairman, our profile has grown dramatically both within the game and as a business. We look forward to working with Martyn on future projects and wish him the well in his new role.” PCA President Mike Gatting said: ” Martyn should be proud of what he has achieved both on the field and as an officer of the PCA. Taking over the PCA Chairmanship from Matthew Fleming was no easy task but he has flourished in that role, moving the organization forward to the next level.” Ends. *The Ginn Company specializes in land acquisition, real estate development and management, architectural design and engineering, resort development and operation and golf course construction and management. The company is one of the largest privately-held real estate development and management firms in the Southeast, with nearly 40,000 acres of land currently under development in Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Vermont, Colorado, the Bahamas and St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands).