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Hamish Marshall set to leave Gloucestershire

Hamish Marshall has been a mainstay for Gloucestershire for more than a decade Getty Images

Hamish Marshall, Gloucestershire's veteran batsman, has announced he will be leaving at the end of the season after 11 years with the club.

Marshall, 37, will be returning to his native New Zealand after agreeing a deal with Wellington Firebirds, where he hopes to continue his 18-year playing career while also pursuing job opportunities for life after cricket.

"I have had 11 incredible years at Gloucestershire and would like to thank my team mates, the staff and the supporters for making it such a memorable time," he said.

"At the stage I am at in my career I have to start thinking about life after cricket and what is best for my family. I am lucky enough to have been offered an opportunity that is too good to turn down and in order to take this up I will be leaving Gloucestershire at the end of the season."

Marshall joined Gloucestershire in 2006 - initially as an overseas player, before committing to the club as a home-qualified player through an Irish passport in 2008. That decision brought an end to his international career, in which he played 13 Tests, 66 ODIs and three T20 internationals

He finished top of the club's 40-over and Twenty20 batting averages in 2008 and has been a mainstay of the middle order across all formats ever since, including the side that beat Surrey by six runs at Lord's last season to win the 2015 Royal London Cup, Gloucestershire's first trophy for more than a decade.

In 2011 Marshall and Kevin O'Brien set a T20 record partnership of 192 for the first wicket against Middlesex at Uxbridge, helping Gloucestershire to a total of 254 for 3 which remains the highest score in domestic 20-over cricket.

He is also Gloucestershire's highest-ever T20 run scorer with 2537 runs so far.

"I have so many amazing memories from my time here but the highlight has to be winning the Royal London One-Day Cup at Lord's last year - that is something that will stay with me forever.

"There is still a lot of cricket to be played until the end of the season and I look forward to trying to keep scoring runs and helping the side fight for success in all three competitions."

Gloucestershire chief executive Will Brown said: "Hamish is a model professional and has been a wonderful role model and ambassador for the club.

"He holds a dear place in the heart of Gloucestershire supporters who have admired his skill and warmed to him as a down-to-earth and humble man.

"As a senior player in the dressing room he has played a crucial role in helping to develop the talented group of youngsters that went on to achieve success in the Royal London One-Day Cup and I have no doubt he will continue to be an integral part of the team for the remainder of the season.

"The club would like to thank Hamish for his outstanding service over the last 11 years and we wish him and his family all the very best for the future."