Aussie pacer Nathan Bracken calls it quits

Sydney, Jan 29 (AFP) Australian limited-overs specialistNathan Bracken announced his retirement from cricket, inSydney, on Saturday.

The New South Wales left-armer, a key member ofAustralia''s World Cup-winning team in 2007 in the West Indies,played 116 one-day internationals and five Tests, plus 19Twenty20 internationals.

A reliable seamer who excelled in the shorter forms ofthe game, Bracken played his last game for Australia againstEngland at Nottingham in September 2009 and cited kneeinjuries for his decision to call it quits at the age of 33.

Bracken said he had investigated ways to continueplaying, but received medical advice that he should retire.

"I really have enjoyed my cricket both internationallyand domestically, but unfortunately knee injuries have takentheir toll," Bracken said.

"I have had a strong rehabilitation from my lastoperation and have also looked at altering my bowling actionto reduce any further damage in my knee and which would haveenabled me to continue playing, but it hasn''t responded.

"My doctor has advised that I may require further surgeryto stabilise my knee and to enable me to have good use of theknee in the future, but to continue playing first-classcricket is now not an option that I have."

Bracken made his debut for Australia in a one-dayeragainst the West Indies in 2001 and took 174 wickets at 24.36in ODIs.

He was the Australian ODI player of the year in 2009 andnamed in the International Cricket Council World ODI Team ofthe Year in 2008.

Bracken said he hoped to work in the cricket media. (AFP)