Jacques Kallis announces retirement from international cricket

Jacques Kallis

South African cricketing legend Jacques Kallis has decided to retire from all formats of cricket with immediate affect. One of South Africa’s greatest cricketers, Kallis had quit Test cricket last December in order to concentrate on preparation for the 2015 ICC World Cup.

The 38-year-old took the decision following South Africa’s ODI series victory in Sri Lanka earlier this month. Kallis scored just 5 runs from 3 matches, with scores of 4, 1 and 0 which made him re-consider his place in the Proteas side.

BREAKING #CSAnews @jacqueskallis75 retires from all international cricket http://t.co/31VWJuS4O3

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 30, 2014

Speaking to Cricket South Africa, the all-rounder 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.”

Kallis ends his ODI career having scored 11579 runs and taken 273 wickets in 328 matches. He is only one of two players, along with Sanath Jayasuriya, to have scored more than 10000 runs and taken over 200 wickets in ODIs.

Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid, speaking on Kallis’ retirement, referred to the South Africa as “the Gary Sobers of our generation”.

"The Gary Sobers of our generation" Rahul Dravid pays tribute to Jacques Kallis who has announced his international retirement

— BBC TMS (@bbctms) July 30, 2014

The Kolkata Knight Riders star is expected to continue playing in the Indian Premier League and Champions League T20 for the Shahrukh Khan-owned franchise.