Chris Rushworth: Durham's record first-class wicket-taker to leave county

Chris Rushworth took 821 wickets for Durham across all three formats in his 12-year-spell with the county

Durham's record first-class wicket-taker Chris Rushworth is to leave the county "for personal reasons".

Rushworth, 36, has taken 603 wickets in red ball cricket and 218 in white ball cricket since making his first-class debut for Durham in 2010.

In the 2022 season, the Sunderland-born bowler picked up 34 dismissals at an average of 27.

"Chris is one of the best seam bowlers to grace the game in this country," said Durham chairman Sir Ian Botham.

The former England captain told the club's website: "To have him playing at Durham, his home county, for all these years has been an absolute privilege."

In 2013, Rushworth took 54 wickets as Durham won the County Championship title and he took 2-24 as they won the One-Day Cup final the year after.

That same year he had his best ever first-class figures as he took 9-52 and 15-95 in the same match against Northants at Chester-le-Street.

"My decision to leave Durham was far from easy, made after lengthy consideration," Rushworth said.

"But I have to state, that this decision has been made for personal reasons alone and not cricketing reasons.

"Durham is, and has always been my club, and that will continue to be the case in the future.

"I've been incredibly lucky and I'm very proud to have been able to represent the club for so long, and the memories I've made playing for Durham will last forever."