South Africa Captain Graeme Smith On this day in 2014 he announced his retirement from international cricket.
The 33-year-old inaugural player ended his international career after 347 matches for his country.
Smith told his teammates the news after the game closed on the third day of the final Test matches. Australia inside Cape TownA game that South Africa lost by 245 runs.
The shocking decision came three months after Jacques Kallis also announced his retirement.
Smith made his first-class debut for his country at the age of 21, scoring 37 centennials, including 27 in the Tests and 10 in one-day international competitions.
Smith’s decision to devote time to his international career had no effect on local cricket and he continued to play cricket. Surrey.
A recurrent ankle injury hampered Smith throughout his career, and after suffering form problems, Smith admitted that the decision to leave was the “hardest” decision he had to make.
He said: “This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life. It’s a decision I’ve been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year.
“I have a young family to think about and I felt the best way to end this was to retire in Newlands because I’ve called this place my home since I was 18.
“I’ve always been someone on the court who gave up everything for my team and my country.
“I am extremely honored and proud to have been privileged to lead so many great players and to be a part of building the Proteas culture to where it is today. It’s a culture that every player can be extremely proud of and proud of.”