Russell was one of the county game's most distinctive figures

The 40-year-old took 1,191 catches and completed 128 stumpings in first-class cricket for Gloucestershire.

He made his England debut in 1988 and went on to play 54 Test matches and 40 one-day internationals.

"I've had a magical time, thanks to all the players, coaches and fans who have supported me over the last 20-odd years," he commented.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to have worn the Gloucestershire badge.

"My heart will always be with the team and this wonderful game of ours. I would like to wish everyone at the club continued success for many years to come."

He told BBC Five Live: "I keep slipping a disc. It's happened quite a bit in the last year or so. The last time I just got out of the chair to pick one of my trainers up and fell down like a sack of spuds.

"It just won't go away - I've seen the scans as well and it looks like the Rocky Horror Show."

Russell made his county debut at the age of 17 and was a key member of the Gloucestershire side which dominated one-day domestic cricket in recent years, winning the C&G Trophy three times since 1999, the B&H Cup twice and the National League title.

Just as important, however, was helping them win promotion to County Championship Division One in 2003, but he was only able to make one top flight appearance for the club this summer because of the injury.

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"It is most unfortunate that Jack's career has ended in this way because you do not associate him with serious injuries and we had all expected to see him back behind the stumps in the near future," said Gloucestershire's chairman of cricket Tony Brown.

"Jack has been, and still is, one of the greatest wicket-keepers of all time. In my view he should have played much more for England, being the 'all-rounder' the way Australia used Ian Healy.

"However England's loss was Gloucestershire's gain."

Russell's England career would have been longer but for the presence of Alec Stewart, who was a superior batsman.

As a wicket-keeper, however, he had few equals and broke Bob Taylor's England record by taking 11 catches in the Johannesburg Test on the 1995-6 tour to South Africa.

"I'll always remember my first game for Gloucestershire when I was 17 with fond memories and obviously running out for England for the first time with three Lions on my chest was very, very special," he added.

"It was at Lord's as well. It couldn't have happened at a better place, so that was a boyhood dream come true."