Leeds, England: Former England fast bowler Darren Gough's first-class cricket career came to an end after he was left out of the Yorkshire squad for their final County Championship match of the season.

Yorkshire captain Gough, 38, was omitted from the 13-man party yesterday for their match away to champions Sussex starting tomorrow, which could determine the relegation-threatened county's status.

A Yorkshire statement said: "Yorkshire's survival in the LV County Championship Division One hinges on the last round of matches as they head for Hove this week with Jonathan Bairstow set to make his debut, but minus skipper Darren Gough who has played his last first-class game of cricket."

Gough had already announced this would be his final season, after suffering a series of niggling injuries in the county championship summer.

"I wanted to go out in style today - and that proved to me I am ready to retire, I am absolutely shattered now," said Gough after Yorkshire's drawn clash with title-chasing Somerset at Scarborough last weekend.

"I bowled as quick as I have for a long, long time in my first spell. I had the opposition saying that is the quickest they have faced all season and when they say stuff like that, I'd like to finish on that note."

And he was particularly pleased to have got one over on former Australia batsman Justin Langer.

"When I look back I'm glad my last wicket was Justin Langer. I've had some great battles against him and it's nice to know my last wicket in Yorkshire was someone as good as him."

In 58 Tests between 1994 and 2003, Gough took 229 wickets at an average of 28.39, placing him ninth in England's list of most successful Test bowlers, and he won fans all around the world as much because of his lively personality as his bowling.

At Hove, Yorkshire will be captained by ex-England batsman Anthony McGrath.

Jonathan Bairstow is in line for his first-class debut. At 19-years-old he will be the same age as his late father David, the former Yorkshire and England wicket-keeper, when he made his county debut in 1970.