Chris Wright To Retire At End of 2025 Season

After 22 years in the professional game, Chris Wright is to call time on his illustrious playing career at the conclusion of the 2025 season.

Wright, who is in line to make the 413^th appearance of his career this week, will be available for Leicestershire’s final two Rothesay County Championship matches before hanging up his spikes.

With 799 professional wickets to his name, including 597 in the first-class arena, the seasoned seamer has proven one of the most effective and enduring talents of English domestic cricket this century.

The 40-year-old’s decorated career began in 2004, featuring for Cambridge UCCE in a first-class fixture against Essex, before going on to debut for Middlesex in all three formats later that summer.

Following four seasons at Lord’s, and a further four with Essex between 2008-2011, Wright experienced one of the greatest highs of his career. In his first full campaign with new club Warwickshire, he lifted the County Championship title, a feat greatly helped by his stunning 62-wicket haul.

By 2019, he was on the move again - this time to Leicestershire, the club he has called home for the past seven seasons. During that time, Wright has collected 239 wickets across formats “ including his first-class (7/53) and List A (6/35) bests “ adding the 2023 Metro Bank One Day Cup trophy and Division One promotion in 2025 to his distinguished CV.

Upon announcing his retirement, Wright said: “When I moved to Leicestershire in 2019, my goal was clear ” to help the Club return to First Division cricket. Now that has finally been achieved, and having celebrated my 40th birthday, it feels like the perfect time to announce my retirement at the end of the current season.

“Becoming a professional cricketer was a dream which began when I watched my dad play club cricket and joined him on trips to see Hampshire at their old county ground, Northlands Road. To have lived that dream for so many years has been the greatest privilege.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve had throughout my career ” from the coaches who guided me at every stage, to the teammates who made every day memorable. Most of all, I want to thank my family and my partner Carly, whose selflessness and encouragement have allowed me to chase my goals for the past two decades.

“I’ll cherish the trophies and the wins, but it’s the daily moments with teammates ” the laughter, the challenges, and the friendships ” that mean the most.

“For now, I want to end on a high and help the boys go up as Division Two champions, before giving back to the game I love and helping the next generation of players achieve their own ambitions.”

Director of Cricket, Claude Henderson, said: “Firstly, we want to congratulate Chris on an outstanding career. He’s been a true professional in every aspect of his game.

“Everyone at the Club wishes to thank Chris for all he has given to Leicestershire CCC, and we wish him every success in his next chapter. Hopefully we can complete his final season with a fairytale finish by winning the Division Two trophy."

Wright is set to make his final home appearance this week, as Leicestershire take on Kent at Uptonsteel County Ground.