Australian bowler Bichel retires

SYDNEY - Former Australian fast bowler Andy Bichel has announced his retirement from cricket at age 38.

Queenslander Bichel, who played 19 Tests from 1997-2003, decided to hang up his boots after a long battle with a shoulder injury, Daily Telegraph reported.

A bustling fast bowler and hard-hitting lower-order batsman, Bichel took 58 wickets at 32.24 playing the bulk of his Tests as the first-change bowler to Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie.

The evergreen quick was the Pura Cup player of the season in 2005-06 at age 35 when he led Queensland to the interstate four-day title with a double of 452 runs at 34.76 and 50 wickets at 26.69.