Lancashire Cricket have announced that left-arm spinner Stephen Parry has left after 16 years with the Red Rose.

Parry, who joined the Club’s Academy in 2004, has been a regular face in the side since he made his First Team debut in 2007 and has relished an illustrious career with Lancs.

The 34-year-old is the Club’s all-time leading wicket taker in T20 Cricket with 117 and has tallied up 231 appearances for Lancashire across all competitions.

On the international stage, Parry scooped up the Man of the Match award on his debut for England in an ODI against West Indies in 2014, appearing a further seven times across both white ball formats.

The spinner played a pivotal role in Lancashire Lightning’s Vitality Blast success in 2015, taking four wickets on Finals Day and 25 in total to help his side lift the trophy for the first time.

Parry will now link-up with Lancashire Thunder and take on a coaching role, joining Lowerhouse Cricket Club as a professional player in 2021.

Parry said: “It has been an honour to represent this great Club for such a long period of time. I am truly grateful to everybody at Emirates Old Trafford for their support since I very first walked through the doors. I started representing Lancashire at U10 level so to graduate through the Academy and play for the Red Rose for 16 years has been a dream come true.

“I feel extremely lucky to have not only represented my boyhood to county but to have also tested myself on the international stage, which would not have been possible without the platform given to me by Lancashire.

“I am sad to be leaving behind a great dressing room – many who are now friends for life – and I wish nothing but the best for the Club as they move forward with an exciting, young squad.

“Being awarded a Testimonial last year was one of the proudest moments of my career. When you look at some of the other players who have been given one and to think my name is on that list, it is something I’m incredibly proud of and humbled by.

“Whilst it has been a challenging year in many regards, I’d like to thank the Club for their continued support this year and I’m looking forward to announcing further events, as well as the virtual one I have on the 11 December alongside David Lloyd and Warren Hegg, in due course.”

Parry was awarded a Testimonal ahead of the 2020 season, which Lancashire have agreed to push back to next year due to COVID-19 and will also continue to support the 34-year-old’s Parkinson’s UK and Lancashire Cricket Foundation fundraising.

Lancashire’s Director of Cricket, Paul Allott added: “Stephen has served Lancashire Cricket with distinction over the last decade and more and I would like to thank him for his contributions.

“His work ethic and love for the Club consistently shone through and he has been part of some huge moments, none more so than the 2015 Blast win.

“In recent seasons, Stephen has seen First XI opportunities limited however he took on a senior role in the Club’s Second XI passing on his invaluable experience to our next generation of up and coming players.

“I know how much he’s looking forward to getting involved in a coaching capacity with Thunder and we all agreed that it was important to support him with his extended Testimonial year.

“I speak for everybody at Emirates Old Trafford in wishing Stephen all the best in his future endeavours.”

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