Former England, Yorkshire and Warwickshire allrounder ends 20-year playing career
Bresnan, 36, announced the decision through his club, Warwickshire, on Monday, ending a 20-year playing career after he helped them secure an eighth County Championship title in 2021.
“This has been an incredibly tough decision, but after returning to winter training I feel that this is the right time,” Bresnan said. “I have continued to work hard throughout the off-season to prepare for my 21st professional year, but deep down I feel I can’t reach the high standards that I set myself and my teammates.
“The hunger and enthusiasm that I have for the game I love will never leave me, but whilst my head is willing to tackle the 2022 season, my body is not.”
During his first-class career, Bresnan amassed 7,138 runs and 575 wickets with seven centuries and nine five-wicket hauls.
“I will always look back at my career with immense pride and it’s been an absolute honour to represent Warwickshire, my home county and country,” Bresnan said. “Growing up I never would have believed how lucky I was to play with and against some of the finest cricketers to grace the game… the opportunity to wear the Three Lions is something that should never be taken for granted and I’m proud to have played a very small part in our country’s storied history.
“I’m excited for my next chapter and am determined to throw everything into it, like I did on the cricket field for so many years.”
Bresnan joined Warwickshire from Yorkshire in June 2020, initially on loan before signing a two-year deal intended to take him through to the end of the 2022 season. He had played for Yorkshire from 2001 to 2019, helping them to County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.
Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire’s director of cricket, praised Bresnan for making the difficult decision to retire well before the start of the new season.
“Tim has had an astounding career,” Farbrace said. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with him throughout his cricketing journey and he has been a marvellous servant to the game. When Tim joined Warwickshire, I believed he could make a huge impact to our side with his experience, knowledge and attitude, and as a County Champion he has certainly achieved that.
“His performances for the club have been exemplary… during his international career, Tim rose to the occasion when his country needed him and his achievements on the biggest stage show how talented and driven, he is.”