Perth Scorchers captain Simon Katich has announced his retirement from Twenty20 cricket, drawing the final curtain on a distinguished playing career.
Katich, now a player development co-ordinator for AFL team the Greater Western Sydney Giants, says his retirement is effective immediately, meaning he won't join the Scorchers at this year's Champions League tournament in India from September.
His decision is based on family reasons, with Katich and his wife Georgie expecting a second child in the near future.
"I have a young family, I've had a great run and for my last game at the WACA, my home ground, to be a win in a successful campaign is the stuff you dream of," Katich said in a statement.
"I'll finish on a high and that was a big part of the reason I decided to pull up stumps."
The 38-year-old left handed opening batsman retired from Australian first class cricket in 2012 after an international career that spanned 56 Tests, 45 ODIs and three T20Is.
Despite boasting a Test batting average of 45.03 and performing consistently, Katich was controversially dumped from the Australian side in 2011 amid speculation of a fallout with captain Michael Clarke.
Katich then ended his English county cricket career on a high last year by scoring more than 1000 runs for Lancashire.
The gritty left-hander, with his trademark step across the stumps from outside leg, played in three consecutive Big Bash League finals with Perth, captaining the Scorchers to their first championship last season.
He was a member of three Sheffield Shield-winning sides, helping Western Australia lift the trophy in 1997-98 and 1998-99, as well as captaining NSW to the title in 2007-08.
It is a decision that has drawn both disappointment and accolades from Perth Scorchers coach Justin Langer, who spoke of a player seen as "one of the most admired and respected people" the club has had the privilege of being involved with.
"In terms of leadership, there have been few stronger leaders in Western Australian cricket history," Langer said.
"His honesty, example and fiercely competitive spirit have held him in high-regard everywhere he has been."
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