JP Duminy announces retirement from professional cricket after 326 South Africa caps

The 35-year-old insists he has no regrets as he heads towards commentary duties following a two decade playing career

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South Africa batsman JP Duminy has announced his retirement from all forms of the game after a playing career that spanned almost 20 years.

An injured hamstring has kept him out of action in recent months since winning the Caribbean Premier League with Barbados Tridents in October, meaning he bows out from competitive cricket with 20,649 runs to his name,

The 35-year-old had previously stepped away from domestic cricket in May 2019 before wrapping up his time in Proteas colours at the World Cup two months later.

Speaking to South African news site IOL, he has cited a lack of motivation while no longer representing his country as a key factor in his decision.

"When it came to South Africa there was a higher purpose and kids that look up to you. My ambition is to make it known to younger players about that responsibility," Duminy said.

"It is great to be free and young, but to also be aware of what you do has consequences. With great power comes great responsibility, and playing international cricket you had a degree of purpose.

"I am young enough to play and still earn money from the franchise game, but I am lacking a strong purpose with that.

"I don't know what's next. I had to take a bold step of closing a door before I could open the next door."

^{Duminy featured in the South Africa side that rose to the top of the ICC Test rankings}

Duminy steps away from the game in eighth place on his country's most-capped player list, with 326 appearances since making his debut in 2004 including 13 outings as captain.

He sits one place behind former captain Graeme Smith, who was recently appointed interim director of South African men's cricket, and he insists he is undecided as to his next steps.

After a hamstring tear ruled him out of last year's Mzansi Super League, Duminy remained with Paarl Rocks in a mentoring role as they took the competition title in November.

However, as he prepares to join the commentary team for the Under-19 World Cup that begins in South Africa on Friday, the batsman insists he has no regrets after a career that finished with an underwhelming international batting average of 36.18.

"The journey ebbed and flowed, but there is 100% no regrets," Duminy added.

"The standout is more about impact and relations developed over the years, particularly with the players. That is something I will always hold dear.

"It's been a journey where I doubted myself countless times and also had unbelievable moments. It is these moments that have built me into who I am today.

"People will look at my career and question 'what if?' in regards to the talent I have. I don't think it has been due to lack of effort put it.

"I am truly chuffed by the opportunities that I have been given, but it's now all about looking forward and what's still in store for me."

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