Graeme Smith quitting Test cricket

CAPE TOWN – South Africa captain Graeme Smith will retire from international cricket after the third Test against Australia, he said earlier today, calling it the most difficult decision he’s ever had to make.
Smith’s surprise move to quit after the ongoing final Test against the Australians at his home ground Newlands follows Jacques Kallis’ sudden retirement from Tests in the India series late last year.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) said in a statement announcing Smith’s retirement that the skipper told his teammates after the close of play on the third day in Cape Town.
The 33-year-old Smith, who has captained South Africa’s Test team for over a decade and is the most experienced captain in Tests, said personal reasons and the fact that he has a young family were part of the reason.
“This has been the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my life,” Smith said in the statement. “It’s a decision that I have been considering since my ankle surgery in April last year. I have a young family to consider, and I felt that retiring at Newlands would be the best way to end it because I have called this place home since I was 18 years old.”
CSA called Smith’s decision a surprise but recognised him as “one of the true legends of the game”. (AP)