South Africa's Jonty Rhodes on Friday confirmed his retirement from international cricket, while leaving himself the tiniest of loopholes to make one last comeback.

The 33-year-old, out of the South Africa squad because of a broken hand, told mediapersons: "It was always my intention to retire after the World Cup. This is a bit premature but unless something else happens to someone else down the line then yes, this is it."

Rhodes, his country's most capped player in one-day internationals, suffered the injury while trying to take a catch during South Africa's 10-wicket win over Kenya in Group B on Wednesday.

The International Cricket Council confirmed that it was technically possible for Rhodes to be recalled later as an injury replacement if another South Africa squad member was ruled out of the tournament with injury.

South Africa will call up batsman Graeme Smith as a replacement once they have been given the go-ahead by tournament organisers.

Rhodes, regarded as the best fielder in the world and a highly effective middle-order batsman, was dropped by the selectors after it was revealed his hand would take at least three weeks to heal, ruling him out of the first round of the tournament.

"It is not quite the script that I envisaged," he said, but added: "I actually really see it as a blessing. When I left school in 1988, there wasn't really a hope for me to play."

"I saw one of the newspaper headlines, it said 'broken dream', but for me to have played 245 one-day internationals and participate in four World Cups, there's nothing to be ungrateful for. It's been a privilege to play for my country."

"I'm going to play cricket in the UK for six months. I'm going to take it one season at a time but I have no definite plans. Maybe I'll take up surfing, it's safer out there," he said.

Rhodes is due to play for English county Gloucestershire next season.

Rhodes' exit came two days after Shane Warne, the game's most successful leg spinner, pulled out of the World Cup after failing a drugs test.

Rhodes, also a hockey international, retired from Test cricket in 2000 to concentrate on one-dayers and to spend more time at home with his wife and daughter. He has played 245 one-day internationals and 52 Tests, averaging just over 35 in both. His last Test came in August 2000.