‘One of modern day greats’: Tributes pour in for Hashim Amla     

Hashim Amla, the only South African to score a triple Test match century, on Thursday announced his retirement from international cricket, just days after fast bowler Dale Steyn said he was quitting Tests.

Amla, 36, said he was retiring from all international cricket after a 15-year career during which he hit 55 centuries in 349 matches across all formats.

He followed record-breaking fast bowler Steyn who on Monday said he was retiring from Test cricket, although he remains available for international white-ball cricket.

An elegant right-handed top-order batsman, Amla overcame a shaky start in international cricket, during which his technique was criticised, to become one of South Africa's all-time leading batsmen.

He hit 55 centuries in a 15-year international career, including South Africa's highest Test score of 311 not out against England at The Oval in 2012.

Amla scored 9,282 runs at an average of 46.64 in 124 Test matches and 8,113 at 49.46 in 181 one-day internationals.

He also made 1,277 runs in 44 Twenty20 internationals at an average of 33.60. He hit 28 centuries in Tests and 27 in one-day internationals. His Test tally included four double centuries.

Amla made his Test debut against India in Calcutta in 2004/05, scoring 24 and 2.

In recent years, though, Amla's form dropped off and he struggled at the recent World Cup in England and Wales.

His last Test century was in October 2017 and he made only two one-day international hundreds after that date.

Amla captained South Africa in 14 Test matches between 2014 and 2015/16 but seldom appeared entirely comfortable in the role. He also climbed to the top of the ICC rankings in both Tests and ODIs.

His captaincy career started promisingly with three series wins, including one in Sri Lanka, but after a difficult tour of India in which South Africa lost three of four Tests, he resigned as captain midway through a home series against England when South Africa were 1-0 down after two matches.

Amla said he would remain available for domestic cricket as well as the second edition of the Mzansi Super League Twenty20 competition, which is due to start in November.

Former Proteas skipper AB de Villiers took to social media and said: "Unreal career Hashim Amla! So many doubted u early on, but your fighting spirit, humility and incredible one of a kind talent took u to the top of the mountain and ultimately to one of the best players in the world and certainly I've ever seen. Congrats on an amazing career."

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar paid tribute to Amla and tweeted: "The great Hashim Amla has surprised the world with his announcement to retire from all forms of cricket, what a legend and what a great human being and great brand ambassador of the game respect to you wish you best of luck."

"First time I played against Hashim Amla was in u-19 World Cup in New Zealand. He showed the glimpse of his class by playing an outstanding inning against us, surely he finished his international career by being one of the greats of South African cricket. Happy retirement brother," tweeted Irfan Pathan.

Former Proteas skipper Shaun Pollock tweeted: "Congratulations to Hashim Amla on a fantastic international career…what an amazing journey it has been since seeing you for the first time in the Kingsmead nets in the late 90's... well done."

Former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher had only one word to say, but it was more or less an apt summation of the man and his career. "Hashim Amla respect! No words to describe."

Former Australian cricketer Lisa Sthalekar pondered what a South African line-up without two of its all-time greats -- Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla -- would look like.

"Wow two modern greats of the game have now retired first Dale Steyn and now Hashim Amla. Thoroughly enjoyed what they were able to do on the field. Going to take me some time to get use to the new South Africa team!"