Ashley Giles has finally admitted defeat in his 18-month long battle against hip problems and became the first of England's 2005 Ashes heroes to quit the game.

The 34-year-old left-arm spinner, who has enduring three operations in the last 18 months, confirmed he had lost his battle to make a playing return and has retired from all cricket.

Giles made his announcement from the Oval, where he began his career with Surrey as a left-arm seamer and the ground where he recorded his best score for England of 59 to help win the Ashes two years ago.

Since then Giles, who claimed 143 wickets in his 54 Tests in addition to making 62 one-day international appearances, has struggled to shake off his hip problems.

They first flared up in the winter of 2005 after he had featured in the first two Tests in that series and although he recovered to play the opening two Tests of this winter's Ashes series - when he was controversially selected ahead of Monty Panesar - another setback at the start of this season has ended his career.

''It's a difficult decision because I'm saying goodbye not just my job, but something I've done since I was about five years old,'' said Giles. ''I've loved playing cricket, even the rough times I've had have been great because I think I've learned from them.

''I guess I've had time over the last couple of months to come to terms with it. The advice I've had from my surgeon was to pack it in and it's the right decision. I don't want to be a cripple in five years' time. I'm only 34 so I've got a life to lead and kids to play with.''