Chris Morris retires from cricket at 34

South Africa allrounder Chris Morris has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. While declaring his decision to hang his boots after a 12-year career, the 34-year-old Morris also said that he will next be seen in a coaching role with South African domestic side Titans.

"Thanks to all who have played a part in my journey whether it be big or small…it's been a fun ride!," Morris' instagram caption read.

Morris last represented South Africa during the 2019 ODI World Cup, a tournament where he was South Africa's highest wicket-taker. He turned out for his country 69 times across the three formats, taking 94 wickets in all. He defined his play as a bowling allrounder, who often sent the speedgun beyond 140kph, and was also a hard-hitting lower-order batter. A late bloomer who made his first-class debut at the age of 22, he made his South Africa debut in a November 2012 T20I, ODI debut in June 2013 and Test debut in the New Year's Test of 2016.

His all-round skills also earned him million-dollar packages in the IPL on numerous occasions, first with the Delhi Daredevils in 2016, then with Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2020, and finally with Rajasthan Royals in 2021. The last deal, at US$2.25million, made him the most expensive player picked up in IPL auction history.

Morris' Test career was his shortest, lasting only four matches where he took 12 wickets at an average of 38.25. His Test debut against England also provided his highest Test score of 69.

In ODIs, Morris played 42 matches and took 48 wickets at 36.58. His batting average of 20.30 perhaps did not reflect his skills as a batter, but his strike-rate of 100.43 showed his abilities to be a gamechanger with the bat.

However, Morris leaves his greatest legacy in the shortest format. He played 234 T20s, including 23 for South Africa between 2012 and 2019. In all T20s, he took 290 wickets at an average of 22.21 and economy of 7.78 while with the bat finished with a strike-rate of 150.04.

Morris has played cricket all around the world, apart from his time spent with Nelson Mandela Bay Giants, North West, Lions and the Titans at home. In England, he played for Surrey and Hampshire, in West Indies for the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots and Sydney Thunder in Australia.

Source: ESPNcricinfo