Legendary spin bowler Shane Warne announced yesterday he will retire from international and Australian cricket at the end of the current Ashes series against England.

"I'm going to announce my retirement from international cricket, domestic cricket, Victoria and Saint Kilda as well," the sport's greatest wicket-taker told reporters.

"It's been unbelievable - my journey and my ride in international cricket has been phenomenal."

Warne said he would see out the remaining two years of his contract with English county side Hampshire.

He said he felt ready to retire at the end of the current Ashes series, which Australia clinched with an unassailable 3-0 lead last week to regain international cricket's oldest trophy after a shock loss to England last year.

"For me, it was a mission to get that urn back," he said.

Warne said he had initially doubted advice from people that he would know when it was time to call stumps on his remarkable career but he now knew it was time to go.

"My time is now," he said. "I couldn't have asked for things to go any better. I'm a very happy man. I probably would have retired after the 2005 Ashes had we won, but that was not to be. There was unfinished business."

Warne said he rated this month's stunning fifth-day victory over England in the second Test at Adelaide as a highlight that helped him to leave cricket while on the top of his game.

"Adelaide did that - I think that the best Test match I've ever played in," he said.

Warne will play the fourth Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground beginning December 26, where he is expected to claim his 700th wicket. His Test swansong will be the fifth Test in Sydney.

On his immediate future, Warne said: "My focus is these next two Test matches and after that I'll sit back and have a few quiet beers and few smokes and try and weigh it all up and see what the future holds."

(China Daily December 22, 2006)