• Kallis to call it a day after Boxing Day Test against India
• He still hopes to play at 2015 World Cup, says coach
Jacques Kallis will retire from Test and first-class cricket after South Africa's forthcoming second Test against India.
The 38-year-old, who has played 165 Test matches, said: "It's been an honour and a privilege to have been part of the South Africa Test team since making my debut 18 years ago.
"I have enjoyed every moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang up my Test whites."
Kallis, who has confirmed he will remain available for selection in limited-overs formats for South Africa, made his Test debut at the age of 20 and has scored 13,174 runs and taken 292 wickets and 199 catches.
He explained: "It wasn't an easy decision to come to, especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying, but I feel I have made my contribution in this format. The last two years specifically have been a memorable journey with an exceptional group of cricketers.
"I am fortunate enough to have ended my Test career amongst a group of talented cricketers but more importantly, friends whom I will cherish for years to come.
"I don't see it as goodbye because I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cup in 2015 - if I am fit and performing."
Kallis, who had spells with Middlesex and Glamorgan in the 1990s, will bow out after the second Test against India, which starts on Boxing Day in Durban. The first Test in the two-match series ended in a thrilling draw.
South Africa's coach, Russell Domingo, said: "The impact Jacques has made on South African cricket has been immense, not just as a player but as a human being. I'm not sure we will ever see another player of that stature very soon.
"Jacques' calmness, maturity and presence in the changing room will sorely be missed and hopefully he will still be able to play a role in this team's success in the near future.
"He has ambitions of playing in the 2015 World Cup and it will be important for us to manage him accordingly so that he is in prime form leading into the tournament." Reported by guardian.co.uk 14 hours ago.
• He still hopes to play at 2015 World Cup, says coach
Jacques Kallis will retire from Test and first-class cricket after South Africa's forthcoming second Test against India.
The 38-year-old, who has played 165 Test matches, said: "It's been an honour and a privilege to have been part of the South Africa Test team since making my debut 18 years ago.
"I have enjoyed every moment out in the middle but I just feel that the time is right to hang up my Test whites."
Kallis, who has confirmed he will remain available for selection in limited-overs formats for South Africa, made his Test debut at the age of 20 and has scored 13,174 runs and taken 292 wickets and 199 catches.
He explained: "It wasn't an easy decision to come to, especially with Australia around the corner and the success this team is enjoying, but I feel I have made my contribution in this format. The last two years specifically have been a memorable journey with an exceptional group of cricketers.
"I am fortunate enough to have ended my Test career amongst a group of talented cricketers but more importantly, friends whom I will cherish for years to come.
"I don't see it as goodbye because I still have a lot of hunger to push South Africa to that World Cup in 2015 - if I am fit and performing."
Kallis, who had spells with Middlesex and Glamorgan in the 1990s, will bow out after the second Test against India, which starts on Boxing Day in Durban. The first Test in the two-match series ended in a thrilling draw.
South Africa's coach, Russell Domingo, said: "The impact Jacques has made on South African cricket has been immense, not just as a player but as a human being. I'm not sure we will ever see another player of that stature very soon.
"Jacques' calmness, maturity and presence in the changing room will sorely be missed and hopefully he will still be able to play a role in this team's success in the near future.
"He has ambitions of playing in the 2015 World Cup and it will be important for us to manage him accordingly so that he is in prime form leading into the tournament." Reported by guardian.co.uk 14 hours ago.