Wellington: South Africa-born New Zealand allrounder Grant Elliott has announced his retirement from all cricket.

Elliott, 39, announced his decision on social media after captaining the Birmingham Bears to sixth place in the North Group of England’s Twenty20 Blast.

An aggressive lower-order batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler, Elliott made his first-class debut for Gauteng in South Africa before moving to New Zealand in 2001. He played five tests, 83 one-day internationals and 17 Twenty20 internationals for New Zealand. His last T20 international appearance was for a World XI against Pakistan last year.

Elliott is best remembered for hitting a six from the bowling of Dale Steyn to clinch New Zealand’s win over South Africa in a semifinal of the 2015 World Cup.

In an Instagram post, Elliott says ‘Started in Johannesburg, finished in Birmingham. I remember being 12 and writing down my life goals. To play in a World Cup, play international cricket and play country cricket. 27 years on and I have loved every minute of it.’