Published: Mar 04, 2014, 08:31 AM (IST)
Edited: Mar 04, 2014, 02:56 PM (IST)
Mar 4, 2014
South African opening batsman Graeme Smith threw a bombshell by announcing his retirement from international cricket after the ongoing Test match against Australia at Cape Town. Smith had been South Africa‘s longest serving captain and one of their mainstays in the batting line-up as an opener since he made his debut against Australia in 2002-03. However, Smith’s form during the ongoing series against Australia was a big worry for the South African team management. He was averaging just 8.4 with the bat in the series. Players and fans have expressed their shock at his retirement.
Smith on his retirement, “This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life. 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 captained South Africa in 108 Test matches, including the present match, over 11 years. He has captained the team to 53 wins even more than Ricky Ponting’s 48.
Below are some Twitter reactions on him retiring from the game.
Hearing huge news out of SA. @GraemeSmith49 is retiring! For what he has done for SA cricket – the man is a legend! Congrats my Surrey BFF!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) March 3, 2014
Graeme Smith retires from all formats of cricket @GraemeSmith49 http://t.co/rZcaKiHaTU
— Nathan Bracken (@NBRACKEN142) March 4, 2014
Another great leaves the international circuit @GraemeSmith49 what a legend. Huge loss for SA .
— Azhar Mahmood (@AzharMahmood11) March 3, 2014
An immense contribution to SA cricket and the game at large. Wonderful career. Congrats and all the very best @GraemeSmith49 #CheersBiff
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) March 3, 2014
What a magnificent career @GraemeSmith49 has had as captain and batsman.He can retire knowing he achieved great things in his time.#worldNo1
— Pat Symcox (@PatSymcox77) March 4, 2014
Catch all the stories related to Graeme Smith’s retirement here
