Joe Denly to retire at the end of the 2026 County Championship

England batter Joe Denly has announced his retirement from professional cricket at the end of the 2026 season.

"After an incredible journey in professional cricket, the time has come for me to announce my retirement from the game at the end of the 2026 campaign," he said in a statement.

Denly, 40, made his international debut in an ODI against Ireland in 2009. In all, he played 15 Tests, 16 ODIs and 13 T20Is for his country. His last international match was a T20I against Australia in 2020.

"Cricket has given me more than I could ever have imagined. From making my debut for Kent to representing England on the international stage, every moment has been a privilege.

"I've been fortunate to share dressing rooms with outstanding teammates, work with exceptional coaches and support staff, and play in front of fans whose encouragement has meant so much," he said.

Apart from a three-year stint at Middlesex from 2012 to 2014, Denly has represented Kent throughout his domestic career. He has played over 250 first-class matches and has amassed over 14,000 runs. The shortest format, though, has been his most prolific, with Denly making over 300 appearances and scoring more than 7000 runs.

"Representing Kent has always been a source of immense pride. The Club will always be my second home, and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities, friendships, and memories it has given me. Thank you to everyone at Middlesex for making my time there so much fun and for making my wife and I feel so welcome. Wearing the England shirt was an honour I'll cherish forever, and I'm thankful to everyone who helped me achieve that dream," he added.

Denly has the distinction of being the first ever player to score a century and take a hat-trick in the same T20 game. He achieved the feat in a match against Surrey in 2018. In 2022, Denly was named captain and led Kent to their first One Day Cup win since 1974.

"His record speaks for itself, and he will rightly be remembered as one of the modern greats of Kent Cricket, having contributed with distinction across all formats over a vast period of time. His longevity in the game is remarkable, having played alongside Joe myself for Kent in my playing career, and winning trophies with him," said Kent's Director of Cricket Simon Cook.

Denly has also been part of several franchises around the globe and has featured in leagues including the Indian Premier League, Pakistan Super League, Big Bash League, International League T20 among others.