Hashim Amla, who for the last decade has been a pillar of the South African batting line-up that also comprised the likes of Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis and AB de Villiers, on Thursday retired from all forms of international cricket.

In a career spanning 15 years and 349 international matches, the 36-year-old, who has also led South Africa in Tests, scored over 18,000 runs including 55 centuries.

“Firstly, all glory and thanks to the Almighty for granting me this Proteas journey which has been nothing but a joy and privilege,” Amla said in a statement on Thursday.

“I learnt many lessons during this incredible ride, made many friends and most importantly shared in the love of a brotherhood called #proteafire.

“I would like to thank my parents for their prayers, love and support. It is their shadow over me that enabled me to play for years under the Protea sun...”

Wishes poured in from Amla’s former teammates Kallis and former captain AB de Villiers. Kallis, with whom Amla stitched many a match-turning partnerships, hailed him as a legend of South African cricket while De Villiers hailed his fighting spirit and humility.

“He (Hashim) has been and always will be a legend of South African cricket. I wish him well in his retirement,” Kallis told The Telegraph via a text message.

Jonty Rhodes, who retired a year before Amla made his international debut, said: “I think the way players conduct themselves on and off the field will be remembered long after their career highlights have faded from memory. And in this respect, Hashim Amla will be remembered for a long, long time.”

Asked if Amla took the right decision at the right time, Rhodes said: “I don’t think I can comment on what is right for Amla… Only he knows.”

Recalling Amla’s early struggles, De Villiers tweeted: “So many doubted u early on, but your fighting spirit, humility & incredible one of a kind talent took u to the top of the mountain.”

over & out

• Hashim Amla’s 9,282 runs is the second-most for South Africa in Tests after Jacques Kallis’s tally of 13,206.
• n His 28 Test hundreds is second highest for South Africa after Kallis (45).
• Amla remains the only South African to score a triple century in Test cricket — 311 n.o. against England at The Oval in 2012.
• His 8,113 runs is the third highest by a South African in ODIs after Kallis (11,550) and AB de Villiers (9,427).
• Amla’s 27 hundreds is the most by a South African batsman in ODIs. Only four other batsman Sachin Tendulkar (49), Virat Kohli (41), Ricky Ponting (30) and Sanath Jayasuriya (28) — have made more hundreds in ODI cricket.
• He holds the ODI record for being the quickest to reach the following landmarks in fewest innings — 2,000 (40 innings), 3,000 (57 innings), 4,000 (81 innings), 5,000 (101 innings), 6000 (123 innings) and 7000 (150 innings) in ODI cricket.

Mohandas Menon