South Africa's Boje announces international retirement

JOHANNESBURG: Former South African vice-captain Nicky Boje announced his retirement from all international cricket on Tuesday.  

Left-arm spinner Boje, who took 100 wickets in 43 tests and played 115 one-day internationals, had been selected in South Africa's squad for the first test against India starting on Friday.   

“I have decided to retire from international cricket and I am unavailable to form part of the Proteas squad for this season,” Boje said in a statement released by the South African Cricketers'' Association, of which he is the president. 

“I feel that the time has come for me to devote the remainder of my playing years to Eagles (his domestic franchise) cricket.  I wish my former team-mates in the Proteas side the best for the future and I'm confident that the team has a bright future,” the 33-year-old Boje said.  

Haroon Lorgat, the convenor of the national selectors, was not available to comment on who would replace the all-rounder in South Africa's 15-man squad.

Cricket South Africa CEO Gerald Majola was disappointed by Boje's decision. “It is with regret that we learnt of Nicky's decision because his inclusion in the test squad to play against India shows that the selectors still have faith in him,” he said.  

Boje's replacement in the test squad will be announced later.