Former Kent captain Rob Key has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect.Key, 36, spent his entire career with Kent, making his debut in 1998 and no-one has scored more runs than him at Canterbury.He scored 19,419 first-class runs, with the highlight a brilliant 221 for England against the West Indies at Lords in 2004. He compiled 54 centuries and 74 half-centuries and played 15 Tests, five one-day internationals and one T20 match for England. Key said: By mutual agreement the club and I have come to an agreement after a long and enjoyable career to call it a day. Its time for the younger players to have their chance and it doesnt feel right for me to stand in their way anymore. Key celebrates after reaching his century against the West Indies at Lords I would like to say a massive thank you to all who have supported me throughout my career. It has been a great honour to represent Kent. I dont know what the future holds but I look forward to what the next chapter has in store.Key was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2005 before being appointed club captain the following year.He was captain of Kent for nine years before stepping down in 2015 - the longest reign since the great Colin Cowdreys 15-year spell in the role from 1957 to 1971. Key (R) and Ryan McLaren (L) celebrate winning the Twenty20 Cup final in 2007 Kent chairman George Kennedy said: Rob has been an outstanding servant of Kent and England throughout his career. He is a club man and selfless captain whose records will stand as testament to his ability with the bat. Perhaps more importantly his leadership and loyalty to Kent in some turbulent times has helped lead the club to a much stronger place. The current crop of exciting talent has learned much from his time at the helm.A Kent side without Rob at the top of the order will look very odd and everyone at the club wishes him all the best for the future.Key admitted that retirement had been on his mind during the early part of 2016, telling Sky Sports News HQ: Ive thought about it for the past two months. When you start thinking about retiring and worrying about the future, its time to stop. England opener Jason Roy runs Rob Key through his warm-up drills and how he plays the pull stroke and straight drive Asked what he would miss playing professional cricket, Key added: Every retired player Ive spoken to says the thing they missed the most was the dressing room.Being in the dressing room, the fun. Ill miss batting but I wont miss the fielding. I feel privileged to have played for England and made my debut with Steve Harmison who became one of my best mates, Andrew Flintoff, as well.It was a good team, with Michael Vaughan as captain, just before they won the Ashes in 2005. So it was a great privilege to play in that era of cricket.Flintoff said: He had a great brain and could have captained England as well. But hell look back on his career and be very proud.Whatever he does next hell be successful and I think retirement will suit him: Not having to do pre-season training, not having to do warm-ups and not having to stand in the field which has bored him endlessly!But he did love batting and thats one thing he will miss.Also See:County ins and outsCC Division One previewCC Division Two previewPundits county picksCarlos Tevez Jersey . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. 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Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night.Embattled Richmond coach Damien Hardwick says he will not be swayed by external noise as he attempts to arrest the Tigers alarming late-season slide.Pressure has mounted on Hardwick after heavy losses to Hawthorn and Greater Western Sydney in the past fortnight, but the defiant coach says calls for change from outside the club will not be a factor ass he tinkers with his game plan and squad with an eye on next season.ddddddddddddhe Tigers take on Collingwood at the MCG on Friday night, with Hardwick backing his players to improve significantly on recent performances. ' ' '