ASHES hero Geraint Jones has relinquished the Gloucestershire captaincy and announced he will retire from cricket at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman played all five Tests in England's historic victory over Australia 10 years ago and chose to confirm his retirement on the same day the two rivals lock horns in the first Ashes Test in Cardiff.

"It's been something I've been thinking about quite strongly in the last few weeks and I've come to the decision that this season will be my last as a cricket player," he said.

Jones' only international hundred came against New Zealand at a Headingley Test in 2004 but his finest hour came a year later with the gloves when he now famously pouched Michael Kasprowicz down the leg side to give England a two-run victory over Australia at Edgbaston.

Jones, who was awarded an MBE for his role in the 2005 victory over Australia, played 34 Tests, 49 one-day internationals and two Twenty20s for England although the last of his caps came in December 2006, when he was dropped after making a pair in Perth midway through the Ashes whitewash down under.

He bounced back with Kent, playing every game in their Twenty20 Cup success in 2007, while he enjoyed a stellar season two years later by scoring 1,291 runs at 51.64 to inspire the county to County Championship promotion.

Jones' average slipped over the following two seasons but he returned to form in 2012, when he was given an unlikely return to the international scene by playing World Twenty20 qualifiers for Papua New Guinea, his birthplace, while he also made two ODI appearances for the team last year.

He was released by Kent at the end of last season, following the promotion of Sam Billings, but was offered a lifeline by Gloucestershire, signing a two-year deal last year after a successful loan stint.

Captaining the side in all of their nine championship matches this year, Jones has scored just 400 runs at 26.67 and has opted to cut his stay short at Bristol.

"Yes the family side has been a big consideration but ultimately it's about what's best for Gloucestershire Cricket and this squad," he said.

"Over the last few weeks I felt there were guys who needed an opportunity and my place in the team was potentially that opportunity.

"I still want to play a big role in helping the team on and off the field but now is a chance for them to start to formulate the best way forward for this group of players and for Gloucestershire Cricket."

Jones' decision to bring his career to an end will leave only Kevin Pietersen and Ian Bell as the remaining members of England's Ashes 2005-winning squad to still be playing.

Gloucestershire head coach Richard Dawson said: "I respect Geraint's decision and the reasons behind it. He has had a fantastic career and still has a big role to play in the development of the team going forward."

Chief executive Will Brown added: "I would like to congratulate Geraint on a wonderful career and hope he can add to it with Gloucestershire up and until the end of the season.

"I would like to thank him for the role he has played in leading and developing the squad during his time here. While it is a shame that he won't be continuing this beyond this season we completely understand his decision and wish him all the best for his retirement come the end of the season."