| Player: | A Nel |
South Africa pacer Andre Nel on Wednesday announced retirement from international cricket after an eight-year career during which he took more than 100 wickets in both forms of the game. Nel made his ODI debut for the Proteas against the West Indies in 2001 and his Test debut followed against Zimbabwe four months later. He played his last matches for South Africa in the Test and ODI series in England last year.
Nel, who has signed to play for Surrey in the English county season, took 123 wickets in 36 Tests for South Africa at an average of 31.86. He took five wickets in an innings on three occasions and 10 wickets in a match once. He played 79 ODIs, including the 2007 World Cup, and took 106 wickets at 27.68 with an economy rate of 4.63. He took five wickets in an innings once and four wickets in an innings three times. Currently he has 381 first-class wickets to his credit.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from international cricket," Nel said. "Playing for my country for the last eight years was a dream come true for me. I would like to thank my captain Graeme Smith, and my coaches Mickey Arthur and Vinnie Barnes, and all my Proteas' teammates for their support and guidance."