Jacques Rudolph retires from South African cricket

Jacques Rudolph

Former South African top-order batsman Jacques Rudolph has decided to quit South African cricket and will end his career playing county cricket in England.

The 33-year-old played 48 Test matches for South Africa in two brief stints, scoring 2,622 runs at an average of 35.43. He made his debut in 2003 and played till 2006 before making a comeback in 2011. He also played 45 One-Day Internationals (ODIs)‚ scoring 1‚174 runs at a similar average to his Test career‚ and one T20 international where he scored six not out.

Rudolph has also had a strong county career in England, playing an integral role with Yorkshire as a Kolpak player from 2007 to 2010 and is now the captain of Glamorgan, which is where he wants to finish his career.

During his time with Yorkshire, he scored 1000 runs every season and established himself as one of the leading players in county cricket. He returned to the South African set-up in 2011, but his comeback wasn’t too successful as he managed to score just one century in 13 Tests.

“I have decided to conclude my career with Glamorgan on the English county circuit following a 17-year period of dividing my time between the Titans, South Africa and the counties Yorkshire and Glamorgan.

“In the twilight of my career, I wish to commit myself more exclusively to the advancement of my batting career in England. I leave with remarkable memories of South African cricket,” said Rudolph.

One of the highlights of his international career undoubtedly was scoring an unbeaten 222 in his maiden Test match against Bangladesh.

Looking back at his time with the Proteas, he said, “One of the lasting impressions of my career was to be part of the South African team that managed to wrestle the number-1 position in the world from England in 2012, and to have served in a test team that featured at the global summit.

"I am indebted to my team-mates at South Africa and Titans to have been part of several trophy-winning teams. I finished my domestic career on a high by being part of the Titans team that won so comprehensively at Newlands in February.

“My best wishes accompany South Africa on their international missions against Bangladesh, India and England in 2015 and 2016,” he concluded.