Shock as South Africa's AB de Villiers retires from international cricket

South Africa's star batsman AB de Villiers on Wednesday announced his surprise retirement from all international cricket after a glittering 14-year career playing for the Proteas.

“I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect,” he said in a statement.

“After 114 Test matches, 228 ODIs and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired.” The 34-year-old said it had taken him a long time to make the “tough” decision and that he decided to quit while still playing “decent cricket”.

I’ve made a big decision today pic.twitter.com/In0jyquPOK

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 23, 2018

“After the fantastic series wins against India and Australia, now feels like the right time to step aside,” he said.

“It would not be right for me to pick and choose where, when and in what format I play for the Proteas. For me, in the green and gold, it must be everything or nothing.”

He added he had no plans to play overseas but would continue in league competitions, saying: “It's not about earning more somewhere else, it's about running out of gas and feeling that it is the right time to move on.”

De Villiers retires with a Test average of 50.66 and as the fourth-highest run-scorer for South Africa with 8,765 runs including 22 centuries.

In ODIs overs, he finished as the number two ranked batsman in the world and as the second highest run-scorer behind Jacques Kallis with 9,577 runs at an average of 53.50.

“AB is one of the all-time greats of South African cricket who has thrilled spectators around the world with his sheer brilliance, coupled to his ability to innovate and take modern day batting... to new levels,” said Cricket South Africa President Chris Nenzani.