Johannesburg - Titans' left-arm spinner Paul Harris has announced that he will retire from cricket at the end of the 2012/13 season after a 14-year career at first-class level.
“I would like to thank the Titans franchise for all the opportunities that they have given me over the past 10 years,” Harris announced at a team meeting.
“I have made many friends through cricket and I have had so many great experiences.”
Harris made his first-class debut for Western Province during the 1998/99 season, and joined the Titans in October 2002.
He left the Pretoria side for a short stint at the Highveld Lions in 2009, but returned to the Easterns Titans franchise in the 2010/11 season.
Harris has played more than 123 first-class matches, during which he has taken 394 wickets at an economy rate of 2.70.
He represented South Africa in 37 Test matches, taking 103 wickets, and was part of the Proteas team which won Test series in both England and Australia in 2008.
“I would like to thank all the people who have helped me over my career,” said Harris.
“A special mention must go to Richard Pybus, who had the biggest coaching influence on my career.
“I am sure that I would not have played for South Africa if it had not been for him.
“I would also like to thank Ian Repton, the Titans' physiotherapist. He really has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help me stay on the park over the past 10 years.”
Titans' coach Matthew Maynard said he was sad to see Harris retire, but wished the bowler well for the future.
“Paul has been a great ambassador of the game and has given tremendous service to the Titans for more than 10 years,” Maynard said.
“He is respected by his peers and will be missed in the change-room. We look forward to playing with him 'til the end of the season.” - Sapa