Agencies

Durban, Jan 13 (mb): Former South African cricket captain and fast bowler, Shaun Pollock has announced his retirement from international cricket, following the second day's play of the third Test match against the West Indies.

Pollock, 34, said the current third and final Test would be his last and he would retire from the international cricket after the one-day series against the West Indians.

His final appearance will be at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on February 3.

His announcement follows his outstanding bowling performance, which helped the Proteas to restrict the West Indies for 139 runs on the opening day.

Pollock was dropped for the first two tests but came back with figures of four for 35 from 11 overs. His stint also included two maidens.

"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 said.

Pollock, the nephew of legendary South African cricketer Graeme Pollock and son of former South African fast bowler, Peter Pollock, started playing for South Africa twelve years ago in the home series against England.

He cemented his place in the team with some excellent performances and found a steady bowling partner in Allan Donald. They were to be the mainstay of South African bowling till Donald's retirement.

After the late Hansie Cronje was banned from cricket for match-fixing, Pollock took over the captaincy in April 2000. He was eventually replaced by Graeme Smith after South Africa's poor performance in the 2003 Cricket World Cup.

He has the lowest economy rate of any bowler to have taken 300 ODI wickets, and he is also the first South African and only the tenth player in the world to take 400 Test wickets.

Besides South Africa, Pollock has also played for Africa XI, World XI, Dolphins and Warwickshire.

The South African all-rounder said he had decided at the beginning of the season that it would be his last but he had not made an announcement because he had not been picked for any of South Africa's first six Tests.

"I had wanted to make an announcement at the beginning of the West Indies series but having been left out of the New Zealand games (earlier in the season) the last thing I wanted was to catch a game just for sentimental reasons or as a last hurrah," he said.

Pollock said he believed his timing was right.

"It is pleasing to see the wealth of budding (South African) bowling talent in the wings and I am happy that I am finishing on my own terms."

Pollock is playing in his 108th Test. He has also scored 3781 runs to rank among the leading all-rounders of all time.

Pollock has played in 298 one-day internationals, scoring 3476 runs and taking 387 wickets.