Senior Australian opening batsman Matthew Hayden announced his immediate retirement from representative cricket at a press conference here on Tuesday.
Hayden's anticipated announcement at the age of 37 followed a poor run of form in Australia's recent losing Test series against India and South Africa.
The aggressive left-hander leaves after 103 Tests with 8,625 runs at a batting average of 50.74.
He hit 30 centuries, which ranks him sixth all-time behind Indian Sachin Tendulkar's 41.
Family time, cooking, fishing and spending time outdoors were among the passions Hayden said he wanted to pursue.
Hayden joins celebrated cricketers Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist, who have retired from international cricket in the last two years.
Hayden's anticipated announcement at the age of 37 followed a poor run of form in Australia's recent losing Test series against India and South Africa.
The aggressive left-hander leaves after 103 Tests with 8,625 runs at a batting average of 50.74.
He hit 30 centuries, which ranks him sixth all-time behind Indian Sachin Tendulkar's 41.
Hayden told the press conference."Today I'm announcing my retirement from representative cricket, effective immediately,"
"I know that now is the time to move on.
"I am retiring from cricket, not from life, there is still so much that I want to achieve and contribute to the community."
Family time, cooking, fishing and spending time outdoors were among the passions Hayden said he wanted to pursue.
Hayden joins celebrated cricketers Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist, who have retired from international cricket in the last two years.
