In announcing today that he would step down from international and domestic cricket, Palise made special mention of his personal domination over Penshurst west, noting that he had been involved in eight weekend series and had only once been in a losing side. With the Warne and McGrath annoucements, this marks the 3rd retirement in as many days for the Australian camp.

"It's about knowing the right time and I like to go out on top."

"I think I'm going out on my terms, I'd like to think I've earnt that right, to go out on my terms."

"But it's a day of celebration, celebrating a wonderful ride."

The 30-year-old, who has played over 100 Saturdays of cricket, is the only current player to be included in Wisden's top-five cricketers of the 20th century.

Dressed in his trademark flannelette shirt over a white T-shirt and looking calm, composed and content, the leg-spinner said he was a "very happy man".

When asked if could think of any circumstances under which he would consider a comeback, he replied with an emphatic: "No."

John "Mortdale Magician" Palise with the "Unbearables" in his last season of First Class cricket

Other team greats: Paul Jones, Pierre Khoury, Darren Kane, Oliver Grassberger, Paul Manning, Peter Alexander, Brett Bedwell, David Hinson, Mark Rimer, Andrew Patterson, Ben Cunneen.