Chris Morris, South Africa all-rounder, retires from all forms of cricket

South Africa all-rounder Chris Morris on Tuesday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. The 34-year-old made the announcement on Instagram, bringing an end to his 12-year
long career. “Thanks to all who have played a part in my journey whether
it be big or small…it’s been a fun ride!,” Morris wrote on Instagram.
Morris also revealed his next plan as he will be coaching South African
domestic side Titans. 

Also Read: Kohli to De Villiers: Chris Morris lists toughest batsmen he has bowled to

Morris last played for South Africa against
Australia in the 2019 World Cup, where he was South Africa’s highest wicket-taker.
The all-rounder played 69 international matches for the Proteas – 42 ODIs, 23
T20Is and four Tests – and took 94 wickets across the formats.

Morris made his debut for South Africa in
2012 when he played a T20I against New Zealand at Kingsmead, Durban. In 2013, he made
ODI debut against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and Test in 2016 against
England at Cape Town.

Also Read: Cricketer Chris Morris recalls the day IPL was suspended

Apart from his bowling, Morris was also
known as a hard-hitting lower-order batter. His ability to score quick runs at
an average strike rate of 150 made him a valuable cricketer in T20 cricket,
particularly in IPL.

Most expensive cricketer

In the 2013 IPL auction, Chennai Super Kings signed him for
$US625,000, more than 31 times his base price of $US20,000. In return,
he played just one match. In the IPL 2016 auction, Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) successfully
won the bidding at Rs 7 crore (approx $US1.04 million). Then in the IPL 2020
auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore bid Rs 10 crore for him (approx $US1.4
million). Finally, in the IPL 2021 auction, Rajasthan Royals had gone all the
way to buy him at Rs 16.25 crore (approx $US 2.24 million). Morris emerged as
the most expensive player to go under the hammer in IPL. However, he was not
the highest-paid cricketer in IPL history. India’s Virat Kohli at Rs 17 crore
is the highest paid cricketer in the T20 league.

Also Read: IPL 2021: Sanju Samson, Chris Morris architect Rajasthan Royals win over Kolkata Knight Riders

In ODIs, Morris played 42 matches and took
48 wickets at an average of 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. Morris’ Test career lasted 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.

Also Read: Chris Morris not worth the money, says former cricketer Kevin Pietersen

But his statue in T20 cricket is quite
high. 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, while with the bat he
finished with a strike rate of 150.04.