YORKSHIRE captain Darren Gough is calling time on his illustrious 19-year first-class cricketing career.

The former England Test and one-day star confirmed he will be retiring from top flight cricket at the end of the current county season.

The 37-year-old pace bowler ended growing speculation about his future as the Tykes beat Scotland in the Friends Provident Trophy at Headingley.

"I have always been confident this would be my last season," said Gough, who made his White Rose county debut in 1989.

"It is time for me to call it a day at the end of September.

"I want to spend some time with my children. I want to watch them play cricket.

"I am nearly 38, and I have had a really good innings. Everyone has their time; mine is September."

Gough, who returned to his home county last winter following a spell with Essex, has always strongly hinted that he would hang up his bowling boots sooner rather than later.

But, until now, he had left the door ajar by saying he would only go when the club's youngsters are ready to step into his shoes.

And as he announced his decision to step down, Gough said: "I still want to bring on the young lads before I go.

"I have loved captaining Yorkshire, but it's been getting harder to play the four-day games.

"I have had a great career, and have brought a lot of youngsters into the game. I shall be staying in touch with all my old friends, but it is time to concentrate on the family."

Gough's decision has probably been accelerated by his lack of action so far this season.

He played only one game on the club's pre-season tour of the United Arab Emirates, while he has also missed two County Championship games and one Friends Provident game with various injury niggles.

He is still England's record one-day international wicket-taker, with 235 from 159 matches.

He also claimed 229 wickets in 58 Test matches, and took a famous hat-trick in an Ashes Test against Australia at Sydney in 1999.

The 2005 Strictly Come Dancing champion has already had offers to play Twenty20 cricket in India, and he added: "I am still massively in love with the game.

"I will still play at some standard. I don't want to go into anything too competitive - probably pub cricket."

Gough claimed 3-40 from his ten overs in yesterday's seven-wicket victory over the Scots in the north division.

Vice-captain Anthony McGrath hit his highest score of the season in any competition, a brilliant unbeaten 105, to help chase down a testing 245 from 50 overs.

McGrath, who was dropped on five, battered 15 fours in a brilliant 99-ball knock.

Jacques Rudolph also hit an entertaining 82 from 95 balls, including eight fours and one six.

It now means, coupled with Durham's comprehensive win over Derbyshire, that Yorkshire will top the north division with a win over old rivals Lancashire at Headingley tomorrow.

That would also guarantee them a home draw in the last eight. The draw will be made tomorrow night.

Ryan Watson and Colin Smith both hit half-centuries to reach 244 all out - and make sure Yorkshire would have to score their highest score of the competition to win.

Tim Bresnan and Adil Rashid both notched two wickets apiece, while McGrath added one scalp to his fine day.

Yorkshire expect Deon Kruis to be out for a month with a hamstring strain.

He is the fourth Tykes' bowler to go down with that injury in the last three weeks.