What made Andrew Hall join ICL

The SA cricketer says he has only four to five years of cricket left in him and and he wants to utilise these years to be financially well off for life after cricket, reports Vinod Kumar.

A raw deal from their cricket boards, the money factor and a love for the game has driven most foreign players to the Indian Cricket League (ICL). The story of South Africa's Andrew Hall is on similar lines. The all-rounder's sudden decision to quit international cricket followed a pattern. "I am at that point of life where I need to choose where to head as I have only four to five years of cricket left in me and more than 50 years of life ahead. In these years, I have to make sure I am financially well off for life after cricket," said Hall.

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"For so many years, South African cricket was my working life, but I must also consider my future," he added. "I wanted to spend time with my wife as I have not been able to be with her much since the day we got married. I sat down with my wife and financial advisor before taking the decision and I am happy with it," said Hall, who played 21 Tests and 88 ODIs.

Hall's retirement call was rumoured to be a reaction to the bitter disappointment of being left out of the World Cup squad. "I never got a good run and that hurt the most. They used to play me when the chips were down and were too happy to drop me when things were going well for the team," he said.