England bowling legend Gough says first-class career is nearly over

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The 37-year-old seamer, who made his first-class debut in 1989, had previously intimated that the 2008 season would probably be his last.

Gough, who played 58 Tests and 159 one-day internationals for England, returned to Yorkshire from Essex at the start of last season when he was made captain and given a two-year-contract.

End of an over: Yorkshire captain Darren Gough will bow out at the end of the season

"I have always been confident that this would be my last season," Gough said. "Although Yorkshire had asked me if I would stay for another year I thought the time was right for me to call it a day at the end of September.

"My decision to retire is nothing to do with the entertainment business, it is just the right time to bow out of first-class cricket.

"I will still enjoy playing the game and will probably turn out for a pub team or something like that."

Gough would be 38 heading into next season and admitted it was getting harder and harder for him to play four-day cricket regularly but Yorkshire's long injury list of fast bowlers made it difficult for him to stand down.

"When Hoggy (Matthew Hoggard) gets back from his broken thumb it will make selection a little bit easier but at the moment we are short of experienced bowlers," he added.

"We have brought in two young pacemen over the past fortnight and there is plenty of talent at the club but our youngsters are not yet quite ready for regular cricket.

"I have had a great career and have thoroughly enjoyed playing for Yorkshire. I will certainly be keeping in touch with all the lads and the friends I have made over the past 20 years or so."