Aussie star Lehmann quits playing

Lehmann is the most prolific scorer ever in domestic Australian cricket

Former Australia batsman Darren Lehmann has announced his retirement from the game after a struggle with injuries.

The left-hander, 37, scored 1,798 runs in 27 Tests and 3,078 runs in 117 ODIs, winning the World Cup in 1999 and 2003.

Lehmann played for six seasons with Yorkshire, winning the county title in 2001 and later captaining the team.

He has also won Australia's main domestic competition twice with South Australia, but Achilles tendon and back problems have taken their toll.

"Physically and mentally I've had enough," he said.

"I'm playing well enough at this level still, but the injuries are just getting too much and it's getting harder to get out of bed.

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"It was always my plan to retire while I was still performing well at first-class level. This goal was important to me and, injuries aside, I think I have been true to it."

A stylish and devastating hitter of the ball, Lehmann was considered unfortunate not to play many more Tests.

Kept out by the likes of David Boon and Steve and Mark Waugh, he belatedly made his Test debut at the age of 28 and finished with an impressive average of 44.95.

Lehmann will play two more games for South Australia this week before bowing out as the most prolific scorer ever in domestic Australian cricket having amassed 25,628 first-class runs.