Former Proteas stalwart Hashim Amla announces retirement

Hashim Amla ended his 22year playing career on Wednesday, with his legacy secure as one of South Africa's all-time cricketing greats. English county Surrey announced they had been informed by Amla, 39, that he would not be returning as a player this year after helping the side to win the English county championship in 2022.

Surrey's director of cricket Alec Stewart lauded Amla for his "phenomenal career".

"He will quite rightly go down as a great of the game. Hashim is a fantastic cricketer and a wonderful person... Everyone at Surrey wishes him the best in the future," Stewart said.

Amla was a key member of one of South Africa's most powerful teams when they clinched the Test championship mace with a series win in England in 2012.

Batting in a line-up which included captain Graeme