Four years after becoming the youngest first-class cricketer in county history , Yorkshire 's Barney Gibson has retired from the sport . The Leeds-born wicketkeeper entered the record books in 2011 when he lined up against Durham University just 27 days after his 15th birthday . But that match proved to be his only appearance at senior level and he never again progressed from the second XI . Ben Gibson , pictured at the age of 15 , has decided to retire from cricket just four years after his debut . The 19-year-old said it was a 'difficult decision ' to retire from cricket at such a young age . In his last game for the second string he did not bat or keep wicket , instead sending down 3.3 overs for 29 runs . 'This was a difficult decision to make , ' the 19-year-old said . ' I would like to thank the players and staff at Yorkshire for their support . I have been involved with the club since I was 11 and I feel that now is the right time for me to look at a career change . 'The support from my parents has been tremendous and I would like to thank Ralph Middlebrook at Pudsey Congs Cricket Club and England coach Paul Farbrace , who I had close working relationships with . ' Yorkshire 's director of cricket development Ian Dews , said : 'Everyone at the club wishes Barney well . 'It is very much his decision . We hope that the next chapter in his life is very successful . '
Barney Gibson became the youngest first-class cricketer in 2011 . The Yorkshire wicketkeeper made his debut shortly at 15 . Gibson said it was a 'difficult decision ' to retire from the game .