Wednesday 30 July 2014 16:07, UK
South Africa legend Jacques Kallis has announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket.
The 38-year-old all-rounder withdrew from the Test scene in 2013 - scoring a century in his final Test against India in Durban - but has now called time on his international career as a whole.
Kallis is the third highest Test run scorer of all time with 13,289 and the seventh highest ODI run scorer of all time with 11,579 and took 292 wickets in Test matches and an additional 273 in ODIs, ensuring his legacy as one of the greatest all-rounders to have played the game.
In a statement released by Cricket South Africa, Kallis said: “I realised in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup was a bridge too far.
“I just knew on that tour that I was done. The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March.
I realised in Sri Lanka that my dream of playing in a World Cup was a bridge too far. I just knew on that tour that I was done. The squad that was in Sri Lanka is an amazing one and I believe they have a good chance of bringing the trophy home in March.
“I would like to thank Cricket South Africa, the team, the team sponsors, my sponsors, the fans and all the people who have been involved in my career. It has been an amazing journey.
“I am not retiring from all cricket as I have a two-year contract with the Sydney Thunder and, if possible, to help the Kolkata Knight Riders defend the IPL title we won earlier this year.”
Chief executive of Cricket South Africa Haroon Lorgat paid tribute to Kallis, saying: "South Africa has been blessed with one of the world's greatest cricketing talents in Jacques Kallis.
"He is undeniably one of the greatest players ever to have graced our wonderful game and he has certainly been the Proteas standard-bearer of excellence for nearly two decades.
"He has played a huge part in making cricket a truly national sport of winners and, in doing so, contributed so much to the important process of nation building.
"To say that we will miss him on the playing field is stating the obvious. Each one of us from this day on will treasure the many fond memories of his awesome career.
"On behalf of CSA and all our stakeholders, I would like to sincerely thank Jacques for his huge contribution to the game of cricket and wish him only the best as he moves on from the international playing arena."
Sky Cricket pundit and ex-England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham added: "Kallis' record is exceptional and so is the length of time he has kept himself going.
"But while it’s sad to hear a player like him is going out of the game, if he thinks he should go, he shouldn’t hang on."
