All that is now history - the 33-year-old Dermot Reeve has retired from first class cricket. The all-rounder's decision was prompted by surgery that revealed the full extent of an injury he had sustained in his right hip - an injury that rules out further possibility of competitive cricket.

''I am still in shock,'' said Reeve while announcing his decision. ``Retirement has been forced on me.''

In the event Reeve, who played his last game on June 17, suffers from a serious cartilage tear in his hip.

Reeve first represented his native Hong Kong in the World Cup qualifying tournament, then moved to England where he joined Sussex in 1983 before moving on to Warwickshire in 1988. He was appointed captain of the latter county in 1993, and since then has led Warwicks to the NatWest Trophy in 1993, followed by the Benson and Hedges Cup, the Sunday League and the NatWest Trophy again in the next two years.

Dermott Reeve has also played three Tests, and 29 one day internationals, for England.