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Pollock announces retirement

11/01/2008

All-rounder and former South Africa captain Shaun Pollock has announced his retirement from international cricket.

The 34-year-old, who is playing in his final series against the West Indies at the moment, will step down after the upcoming one-day internationals.

He announced his intention to step away from the international arena earlier this season, citing the current West Indies series as his last.

And today, at the end of the second day of the third Test at his home ground of Durban, Pollock read a prepared statement to the gathered media.

"I'd like to thank Cricket South Africa for allowing me the opportunity of representing my country for the last 12 years," he said.

"I thoroughly enjoy the honour and privilege of wearing the Protea badge and take with me some remarkable memories having played against some great players.

"I realise I have been blessed by God and feel I have nurtured my talents to the best of my abilities."

Pollock will retire as the leading wicket-taker in South African cricket history - he currently has 420 Test victims and 387 in one-day internationals.

He will also be remembered by Proteas fans as the captain who brought the team through a difficult period in their history after disgraced former skipper Hansie Cronje was sacked following match-fixing allegations in 2000.