Jason Gallian is in his 20th season of first-class cricket

Essex's former England opener Jason Gallian is to retire from first-class cricket at the end of this season.

Australia-born former Lancashire and Nottinghamshire man Gallian, who been at Essex for the past two summers, won his three Test caps in 1995.

Gallian, 38, came to prominence with Lancashire, having begun his first-class career at Oxford University.

Essex have also announced that all-rounders James Middlebrook and Jahid Ahmed will not be re-engaged next year.

Yorkshireman Middlebrook, who joined Essex seven years ago, has played in 120 matches for them.

Both the 32-year-old off-spinner and Ahmed, 23, are hoping to join a new county next season.

I have spent 19 years playing professional cricket which I have thoroughly enjoyed Jason Gallian

Essex have offered one-year contract extensions to seamer Tony Palladino, 26, and former Leicestershire batsman John Maunders, 28.

In his three Tests, Gallian made 84 runs at an average of 14.

His retirement comes on the back of three other England players of the 1990s all deciding to call it a day too, Andrew Caddick, 40, John Crawley, 37, and Mark Butcher, 36.

"I have spent 19 years playing professional cricket which I have thoroughly enjoyed," he said. "And I've had a great experience and several challenges along the way.

"However, all good things come to an end.

"Essex have a lot of young players coming through, and it is their time now to perform."

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