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South African great Smith to retire from international cricket

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Graeme Smith, the international game's longest-serving captain, announced on Monday he would retire from all international cricket after the current third Test against Australia at Newlands.

The 33-year-old -- whose long-time team-mate Jacques Kallis announced his retirement from test cricket at the end of last year though he still hopes to play a role in the one day side -- has captained South Africa in 108 Test matches, including the current match, but has had a poor series with the bat.

He broke the news to his team-mates at the end of the third day's play on Monday.

"This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life," said Smith.

"It's a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.

"I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years old."

Smith, who played 347 games for South Africa in all forms of the game, said it had been a privilege to captain his country for such a long period of time.

"I have always been someone who has left everything out there on the field for my team and for my country. I'm extremely honoured and proud to have had the privilege to lead so many wonderful players.

"I thank and honour the players who I have played with and those who have supported me and helped me to be the person and captain I am today.

"I have been fortunate to have had many highs, among them leading and being part of the best Test team in the world.

"I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bid my career a fond yet sad farewell."

Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat praised the contribution of Smith.

"Although Graeme's decision to retire from all forms of international cricket comes as a surprise to all of us, we must respect him for deciding to call time," he said.

"Knowing him as well as I do, having been instrumental as a selector in appointing him as a young captain, he would not have taken this decision lightly or without a great deal of thought.

"He has captained the Proteas for more than a decade and will draw a lot more satisfaction from the fact that he leaves our Test team at the top of the world and in such good health rather than from all the personal records he has achieved as the longest-serving captain the game has seen in the demanding Test format.

"I would like us to remember Graeme for his nerves of steel and his match-winning performances that were synonymous with some of the most remarkable fourth-innings victory chases.

"These included setting up the 414-run chase against Australia at Perth and his series-clinching innings at Edgbaston in 2008, not to mention the unbeaten century the last time he faced Australia at Sahara Park Newlands in 2011.

"His role in setting up the famous 438-win over Australia in 2006 was also a performance never to be forgotten.

"Following the recent retirement of Jacques Kallis from Test cricket, there is no doubt that we are now ready to move into a new era and it is our job to build on the solid foundations that these great players leave behind," added Lorgat.

Smith made his first-class debut for South Africa at the age of 21, and ends his illustrious career with 17,228 International runs and as the most capped Test captain.

Graeme Smith, the international game’s longest-serving captain, announced on Monday he would retire from all international cricket after the current third Test against Australia at Newlands.

The 33-year-old — whose long-time team-mate Jacques Kallis announced his retirement from test cricket at the end of last year though he still hopes to play a role in the one day side — has captained South Africa in 108 Test matches, including the current match, but has had a poor series with the bat.

He broke the news to his team-mates at the end of the third day’s play on Monday.

“This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life,” said Smith.

“It’s a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.

“I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years old.”

Smith, who played 347 games for South Africa in all forms of the game, said it had been a privilege to captain his country for such a long period of time.

“I have always been someone who has left everything out there on the field for my team and for my country. I’m extremely honoured and proud to have had the privilege to lead so many wonderful players.

“I thank and honour the players who I have played with and those who have supported me and helped me to be the person and captain I am today.

“I have been fortunate to have had many highs, among them leading and being part of the best Test team in the world.

“I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I bid my career a fond yet sad farewell.”

Cricket South Africa (CSA) chief executive Haroon Lorgat praised the contribution of Smith.

“Although Graeme’s decision to retire from all forms of international cricket comes as a surprise to all of us, we must respect him for deciding to call time,” he said.

“Knowing him as well as I do, having been instrumental as a selector in appointing him as a young captain, he would not have taken this decision lightly or without a great deal of thought.

“He has captained the Proteas for more than a decade and will draw a lot more satisfaction from the fact that he leaves our Test team at the top of the world and in such good health rather than from all the personal records he has achieved as the longest-serving captain the game has seen in the demanding Test format.

“I would like us to remember Graeme for his nerves of steel and his match-winning performances that were synonymous with some of the most remarkable fourth-innings victory chases.

“These included setting up the 414-run chase against Australia at Perth and his series-clinching innings at Edgbaston in 2008, not to mention the unbeaten century the last time he faced Australia at Sahara Park Newlands in 2011.

“His role in setting up the famous 438-win over Australia in 2006 was also a performance never to be forgotten.

“Following the recent retirement of Jacques Kallis from Test cricket, there is no doubt that we are now ready to move into a new era and it is our job to build on the solid foundations that these great players leave behind,” added Lorgat.

Smith made his first-class debut for South Africa at the age of 21, and ends his illustrious career with 17,228 International runs and as the most capped Test captain.

AFP
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With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

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