Former Aussie opener Matthew Hayden insists he walks away with "zero regrets" after announcing his retirement from cricket.
The 37-year-old made his decision public at a press conference in Brisbane today.
Hayden, who brought an end to both his international and domestic careers, was afforded an emotional farewell with a lap of honour in front of his home crowd at the Gabba between innings in tonight's Twenty20 international between Australia and South Africa.
"It's been very unique and special to be here with my family and all the people that have supported me along the way," he told Sky Sports 1, standing pitchside with his wife and three children.
"It's been a hell of a journey - it ends here tonight. It casts off in a new direction of life as well. This little tribe here is exactly what makes the decision not easy but decisive."
Hayden, who played 103 Tests, struggled to make an impact in the five-day arena this summer against New Zealand and South Africa at home, scoring just 149 runs at 16.55 from five matches.
Hayden's second-innings knock of 39 against the Proteas last week was the best he managed in his last five Tests.
He admitted he had considered playing on to try to prove his recent critics wrong, but ultimately decided the time was right to call it a day.
"I don't think my story would be complete without a few 'stick it up 'em' stories," he said. "But I don't hold any malice whatsoever towards the game.
"The game has been incredible to me, incredible to my family. And you've seen today the amazing support I've had - not just from Queenslanders but right around Australia. No regrets.
"I've tried to extract every ounce of ability I've been given and with the help of my beautiful family they've given me the opportunity to launch into that for the last 14 years."
The decision comes after the veteran opener was dropped from Australia's one-day and Twenty20 squads for this current series against the Proteas.
He had hoped to push on for the tour to South Africa next month and the Ashes in England later this year.
Flanked by Australia Test captain Ricky Ponting, Hayden told today's press conference that he was ready to move on to the next stage of his life.
"Today, I am announcing my retirement from competitive cricket, effective immediately," he said.
"I have lived the dream and loved every minute of representing Australia and Queensland - there's zero regrets when it comes to my cricket performance.
"I feel privileged to have been in a position where I've had longevity because I've experienced the enormity of the experience in the longer term."
Hayden said it had been an honour to represent his country over the past 15 years before pausing to compose himself.
"I am retiring from cricket, but not from life," he added.
"I'm humbled by my background and I've been humbled by the fact that I've got so much support.
"That's why I can feel so proud of what the team has achieved over the period of time that I've contributed to it.
"I hope that in some small way that I've been able to leave a legacy into that culture.
"I can freely walk away from Ricky and the team knowing that the custodians of the importance of the fabric of our culture are well and truly harnessed."
Hayden is now looking forward to enjoying his favourite pastimes - fishing, boating and cooking - and intends to throw himself into programmes to promote cricket among indigenous Australians and the McGrath Foundation.
He thanked his 'brothers of the baggy green' for their support and credited the culture of the Australian team for its success over the past decade and more.
Ponting led the chorus of praise for the retiring opener, who departs having scored 8,625 runs at an average of 50.73 over 103 Tests.
The Australia skipper was full of admiration for the burly Queenslander and admitted his influence off the pitch would also be sorely missed.
"Taking his 30 Test hundreds out of it and his average of 50 and all that, he's a massive loss for our dressing room, there's no doubt about that," Ponting said.
"We'll all miss him greatly, as an experienced guy around the team and obviously a great mate."
Ponting was also quick to cement Hayden's place in the pantheon of champion openers.
"I don't think there is any doubt about that (being Australia's best opener), you can even look back through the history books of the game and try and see if there has ever been a better opening batsman in the game, let alone Australia," he said.
"His opening partnership with Justin (Langer) in Test cricket will always be remembered as something very special."
Fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath also paid tribute to his former team-mate.
"It's been an absolute honour and a privilege to play with him and even more so to call him a mate," McGrath said.
"And to me Matty is a legend of the game; he's got nothing left to prove, his career stands alone."
