South Africa legend Jacques Kallis has announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket with immediate effect on Wednesday.

The 38-year-old all rounder is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, who had previously retired from Tests in December 2013 and now he will not be available to represent his country in the ICC 2015 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The right-handed veteran batsman is the seventh highest ODI run scorer of all time with 11,579 runs in 328 ODIs, 666 runs in 25 T20Is during his 19-years of glittering career for Proteas.

“I would like to thank Cricket South Africa, the team, the team sponsors, my sponsors, the fans and all the people who have been involved in my career. It has been an amazing journey,” Kallis said.

“I am not retiring from all cricket as I have a two-year contract with the Sydney Thunder and, if possible, to help the Kolkata Knight Riders defend the IPL title we won earlier this year.”

Kallis will continue to play club cricket for Kolkata Knight Riders in an Indian Premier League, as well as for the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.

Former England skipper Paul Collingwood has tweeted his best wishes to him.

He scored runs for fun, swung it both ways, could hit you in the head and had hands like buckets. Congrats @jacqueskallis75 #TheBest

— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) July 30, 2014