The cricket world will be a less colourful place with the news that Colin Miller, 38, has announced his retirement, less than a year after being named Australian Test Player of the Year. "Funky" Miller, 38, played 18 Tests for Australia, taking 69 wickets at 26.15, including a ten-wicket haul against West Indies at the Adelaide Oval in 2000-01. He also claimed 446 first-class wickets at 30.97 for Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in 126 matches.

"It will be hard to bid a final farewell to first-class cricket because the game has meant so much to me for such a long time," said Miller. "I have been lucky to meet so many great people, play with fantastic team-mates and make so many friends, all while playing a game I love. But my time has come, and I will hold on to the magnificent memories from 17 years of first-class and international cricket."

It was certainly not a conventional career. Although Miller made his debut for Victoria in 1985, he didn't make his first Test appearance until 1998, when he was 34. He made an immediate impact, taking a wicket with his fifth ball. During the 1999-2000 and 2000-01 seasons, Miller took 32 wickets at 21.00 in six Tests, claiming five wickets in an innings on three occasions. He played his last Test at Madras in March 2001.

Although he started his career as a medium-pacer, a foot injury in the early 1990s led to his turning to offspin. Once restored to full fitness, he was able to switch between the two styles as the situation demanded. This versatility was to prove a key factor in his eventual international call-up.

At state level Miller was at his best during his time with Tasmania between 1992-93 and 1999-2000, when he took 210 domestic wickets, still a record for the state.

He was extremely popular with the crowds, and his zany hair colours - which often changed on a day-to-day basis from pink to yellow to green - and ear-ring made him an instantly recognisable figure. He dyed his hair lemon when he made his Test debut against Pakistan, and three years later he coloured it electric blue to mark the centenary of Australian Federation. There was a feeling, however, that sometimes his outrageous coiffure overshadowed his abilities as a cricketer.

"I will retire content that I have made the most of my opportunities and I have had some great highlights along the way," he said. "Being made Test Player of the Year at the Allan Border Medal was definitely my highest individual honour, and being part of the record-breaking Australian Test team was the best period of my career.

"There have been so many people who have supported me throughout my career and shown faith in what I can do. I cannot thank them enough."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd