Billy Root retires from professional cricket, aged 34

Younger brother of Test captain Joe says he 'wouldn't change a thing' after 14-year career

Billy Root, the younger brother of England Test captain Joe, has announced his retirement from professional cricket aged 34.

Root is one of three Glamorgan batters whose playing careers will finish this week, along with Chris Cooke and Colin Ingram. He has had a quiet final season, playing only two County Championship matches and captaining the club's second XI, and said in a social media post that it was "time for the next chapter" in his life.

"It has been an absolute privilege to represent two great clubs and to share in the success of four trophy wins," Root said. "I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to make a career out of something I have loved since I was a kid.

"There have been plenty of ups and downs over the last 14 years, but I wouldn't change a thing. I'll always be incredibly grateful for the journey, the people l've shared it with and the opportunity to live out a childhood dream. Thank you to everyone who has played a part."

Root broke into professional cricket with Nottinghamshire after studying at Leeds Beckett University and was part of the squad that won the white-ball double in 2017. He joined Glamorgan in 2019 where he was involved in two One-Day Cup titles, as well as the club's promotion to Division One of the Championship last summer.

Root grew up playing alongside his older brother Joe at Sheffield Collegiate CC, and the pair briefly shared the field during a Test at Lord's in 2013 when Billy - then with MCC Young Cricketers - fielded as England's 12th man. He told the Guardian in 2017 that, while it was occasionally frustrating to be known primarily as "Joe's brother", the positives outweighed the negatives.

Root is one of several county pros who will retire when their contracts come to an end this week. Scott Borthwick (Durham), Luke Charlesworth (Gloucestershire), Anuj Dal (Derbyshire) and Rob Keogh (Northamptonshire) are among the other players who have recently announced their decisions to end their playing careers.