Lancashire veteran calls time on his playing career at Emirates Old Trafford

The 34-year-old spinner had spent 16 years with the club after joining the academy in 2004.

His first team debut came three years later and he went on to make 231 appearances across all formats for the Red Rose.

He is the club’s all-time leading wicket taker in T20 matches with 117 dismissals, while he was also named man of the match on his England ODI debut against the West Indies in 2014.

Parry went on to appear seven times across both white ball formats, turned out for Brisbane Heat in the 2014/15 Big Bash, and was also a key contributor to Lancashire Lightning’s T20 Blast victory in 2015.

After agreeing a one-year extension with Lancashire for 2020, Parry was awarded a testimonial year but Covid-19 challenged his fundraising efforts for the Lancashire Cricket Foundation and Parkinson’s UK.

However, Lancashire has agreed to extend and support his testimonial year further into 2021.

Though he will turn out as the professional at Lancashire League club Lowerhouse next year, Parry will still be seen around Emirates Old Trafford.

He is taking up a coaching role within the Thunder set up at Emirates Old Trafford throughout the winter, where he will work alongside newly-appointed head coach Paul Shaw.

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 are friends for life – and I wish nothing but the best for the club.

“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.”

Lancashire director of cricket, Paul Allott, added: “Stephen has served Lancashire 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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