Noel David calls it a day

Noel David, the former Indian offspinner, has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. David, 34, who played four one-dayers for India in 1997, planned to quit the game to concentrate more on his coaching career.

David was picked as the offspinning allrounder to replace Javagal Srinath on India's tour to West Indies in 1997. His selection was shrouded in controversy, allegedly prompting members of the team-management to react, Noel "Who?", but David impressed on his debut game and finished with 3 for 21 and helped India record a comfortable ten-wicket win. However, his fastish offbreaks produced only one wicket in the next three games and he was eventually dropped after the Asia Cup in Sri Lanka.

David managed only 9 runs in his four matches, but he started off as a promising allrounder for Hyderabad when he cracked an unbeaten 207 in his third first-class game. However, he managed only one more hundred in his 35 games and finished with an average just short of 30. He played his last first-class game in October 1998 and is currently involved in coaching youngsters at the St. John's Cricket Coaching Foundation in Secunderabad.