Former Australia Test opener Matthew Elliott announced his retirement from first-class cricket on Tuesday, ending a 16-year professional career.

The 36-year-old said he is quitting to give younger players the chance, but would still consider playing in the rebel Indian Cricket League.

"After much thought and many discussions I'm convinced the timing is right," he told reporters on Tuesday.

"It has to be about the team and what is right for the team now, it's not for an old boy like me to battle out the rest of the season.

"Retiring now will give the younger players in the [South Australia] Redbacks squad the same opportunity that I was afforded early in my career."

A dashing left-hander, Elliott has struggled for runs in recent seasons but was regarded as one of Australia's most dangerous batsmen during his prime.

He played 21 Tests for Australia between 1996 and 2004, scoring 1,172 runs at an average of 33.48. He scored three centuries, including a career-best 199 on the 1997 Ashes tour of England [Images].

Elliott also played 214 first-class matches, compiling 17,251 runs at an average of 47 with 50 hundreds.