South African all-rounder Chris Morris has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. Announcing the decision on Social Media, the 34-year-old said that he had accepted a coaching position with the 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!,” the caption on his Instagram post read.
In 69 appearances for the Proteas across the three formats, Morris took 94 wickets. A gifted hitter in the lower-order, he couldn’t quite translate his talent into big contributions with the bat, aggregating a total of 774 international runs.
Morris took up cricket very late, making his First Class debut for North West at the age of 22 in 2009. By 2011/12, though, he already established himself as their leading bowler. During that season, he was the highest wicket-taker in the domestic T20 competition with 21 wickets.
He broke through the ranks at the now-defunct Champions League in the 2012 season, where his franchise Lions made the final. That translated into a T20I debut later in the year as well as a call-up to the team’s Champions Trophy squad in 2013.
During the 2013 IPL auctions, Morris was bought by Chennai Super Kings for USD 650,000. The tournament remained kind to him and his all-round skills earned him further big paydays during IPL 2016 (Delhi Daredevils) and IPL 2020 (Royal Challengers Bangalore). At the IPL 2021 auction, Morris was signed by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 16.25 crores -the largest signing sum in the history of the tournament at the auction table.
Morris, who missed the 2015 World Cup in Australia-New Zealand, was a late call-up for the 2019 event after Anrich Nortje was ruled out with an injury. He ended that tournament as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker but didn’t feature in another game for the national team thereafter.
