The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, London

Former England fast bowler Darren Gough's first- class cricket career came to an end Monday after he was left out of the Yorkshire squad for their final County Championship match of the season.

Yorkshire captain Gough, 38, was omitted from the 13-man party for their match away to champions Sussex starting on Wednesday, which could determine the relegation-threatened county's status.

A Yorkshire statement said: "Yorkshire's survival in the LV County Championship Division One hinges on the last round of matches as they head for Hove this week with Jonathan Bairstow set to make his debut, but minus skipper Darren Gough, who has played his last first-class game of cricket."

Gough had already announced this would be his final season, after suffering a series of niggling injuries in the county championship summer.

And following Monday's announcement, he told BBC Radio Five Live: "I wasn't disappointed because I picked the team!

"Some people said I should go for the romantic ending but it's not about me, it's about Yorkshire staying up.

"I really went back to the old times in my first spell against Somerset last week and anyone who seen it will know what I mean.

"That really took it out of me and I was struggling."