Miles first let fans know he was stepping away in a candid letter to Gloucestershire supporters, reflecting on a career that started when he first donned the county cap at 16.
He said, “It’s with sadness, yet huge pride, that I announce my retirement from professional cricket… I’ve made this call to prioritise my mental well‑being.” The 32‑year‑old had last taken the field in June during the Vitality Blast, where his nerves seemed off‑track.
In all formats, Miles racked up more than 500 wickets across 200 first‑class, 150 List‑A and 30 T20 matches, picking up his 500th in 2024 and finishing a career that included a Championship win and a One‑Day Cup triumph. He also claimed the 2019 County Championship title with Gloucestershire, their first in 25 years.
Gloucestershire’s director of cricket, Jon Lewis, called the bowler’s decision “brave” and pledged full club support. “Miles has always brought grit and heart to the crease; we’ll honour the legacy he leaves and help him on his next chapter.”
The news hits Gloucestershire hard: the county must now look for a new pace engine, while the broader cricket community joins the conversation on mental health, a topic that has been sidelined for too long.
As the County Championship resumes, Gloucestershire will face the West Indians next week, a test that will put the team’s new bowling plans on the spot.