Gloucestershire bowler Craig Miles has retired from professional cricket to protect his "mental well-being".

The 32-year-old, who last played in June, returned to Gloucestershire this year after a six-year spell at Warwickshire.

He began his career in Bristol and took 512 wickets in total in all three formats of the game.

"Although this has by no means been an easy decision, given the struggles I've experienced with the game in recent times, I've made this call in order to prioritise my mental well-being," Miles wrote in an open letter on the Gloucestershire website.

"My recent time away from the game has given me the opportunity to reflect and understand myself better, as well as my relationship with cricket.

"The challenges I've faced recently are ones I've experienced at other points in my career, although never with the same intensity as this time.

"The high expectations I place on myself and the standards I've always tried to reach have often been the catalyst for these periods.

"At times, they have compromised how I've felt about my abilities and performances. The questioning and self-doubt that follow only serve to reinforce an unhelpful narrative.

"When you add in the volatility and uncertainty that cricket naturally brings, it becomes an unforgiving and ultimately unsustainable way to approach the game.

"The naivety of youth, ambition and the continual desire to be the best player I could be helped me through previous challenges. I saw them as bumps in the road, part of the process, or simply a period of form, and those were the justifications that allowed me to persist, bounce back and come through the other side.

"Unfortunately, I now feel I no longer have the capacity to continue in a way that allows me to train, play and perform to a standard I can accept from myself."

Miles made his debut as a 16-year-old in 2011 having come up through Gloucestershire's academy.

He turned professional two years later and helped the club win the 2015 One-Day Cup as he ended his first spell at Nevill Road with just under 300 wickets, including two seasons in the County Championship where he took more than 50 wickets.

He moved to Warwickshire in the winter of 2018 and helped them win the 2021 County Championship. He also took 5-28 in the final of the Bob Willis Trophy as Warwickshire beat Lancashire by an innings and 199 runs.

He also had loan spells with Durham and Glamorgan, and played for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred before returning to Bristol this season after spending time on loan last year.

"Craig has come to a decision which, in my view, is incredibly brave," Gloucestershire director of cricket Jon Lewis said.

"The vulnerability he has shown in talking about what he's been going through is a real strength of his. It shows the true character of the man that he's willing to step away from something he loves, and he does so with the full backing of everyone at the club.

"Craig is a Gloucestershire boy. I was lucky enough to present him with his first cap back in 2011, and he's been incredibly proud to represent this wonderful club.

"We'll be working hard to support Craig as he transitions out of the game."