CHANDIGARH, India — Australia all-rounder Shane Watson has announced he will retire from international cricket after the World T20 in India.

The 34-year-old reportedly informed teammates of his decision ahead of their training on Thursday at the PCA Stadium in Chandigarh.

It brings an end to a 14-year career that began way back in 2002 in an ODI against South Africa.

Since then he has scored 10,888 runs for Australia across all three formats, played 305 international matches and taken 289 wickets.

Watson said it was “the right time” to call an end to his Australia career and that he hopes to eventually go into coaching.

“It’s been over the last week that it’s really become clear that now really is the right time to retire from all international cricket,” Watson told Cricket Australia.

“I’ve been playing with the thought for a few months now and I know now with the way the group is continuing to evolve, which is exciting to be able to see, with my young family as well, and seeing the potential of the international schedule is very hectic.

“And I just know it’s the right time to be able to right now clear my mind knowing that I’ve made the decision and be absolutely ready to go for these next two very important games.”

Watson plans to play on in franchsie cricket across the BBL, IPL, PSL and CPL and will now turn his attention to extending his run with Australia as far as he can with two more matches of the Super 10s stage left to play.

If Australia were to win both then they would progress to the semi-finals, a run to a first World T20 final being the ultimate goal for Watson.

“It’s no secret I do love coaching and that’s one thing I will be doing in my time off,” added Watson.

“There’s a big break that I’ll have after the Caribbean Premier League from August to nearly the start of the Big Bash that I’ll definitely up-skill from a coaching perspective whether that’s skill-wise with young players or outside the cricket aspect as well.”