By: Lucky Khanyile and Bheki Kunene

Jacques Kallis announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket on Wednesday after nineteen years serving Cricket South Africa.

The 38-year-old all-rounder had a nightmare tour with the bat making scores of zero, one and four in his three innings on tour.

Despite his shortcomings with the bat, the Proteas went on to record their first ever ODI series win on Sri Lankan soil.

Kallis, affectionately known as King Kallis, promised to continue playing One Day Internationals when he retired from test cricket in December but had a change of heart after the tour to Sri Lanka.

He realized that he was not at his best in amongst a youthfully exuberant Proteas side and that is what made him reconsider his previous decision.

Kallis’ manager, David Rundle revealed that the all-rounder had made up his mind before he came back from tour.

“He made the decision during the Sri Lankan tour but he had to inform CSA first and that is why he waited until the tour was over to make the announcement,” he said.

The former Cape Cobras batsman was motivated to continue playing ODIs by the prospect of playing at the ICC World Cup in Australasia next year.

He was hoping to play in a record sixth cricket world cup by a South African.

“Kallis realized that it was just not meant for him to take part in the world cup starting in February next year,” said Rundle.

The right-handed batsmen played a record 166 test by a South African while making13289 runs including 42 hundreds at an average of 55, 37.

He also has 292 wickets under his belt.

His ODI record is as remarkable as his test record.  He made 11579 runs in 328 ODIs at an average of 44.36 with 17 hundreds to go with it.

“South Africa has been blessed with one of the world’s greatest cricketing talents in Jacques Kallis. He is undeniably one of the greatest players ever to have graced our wonderful game and he has certainly been the Proteas standard-bearer of excellence for nearly two decades,” CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat, commented.

King Kallis still has a two-year contract with the Sydney Thunder in the Australian Big Bash League and hopes to help the Kolkata Knight Riders defend their IPL title next year.