Miller, 38, had seen his place in the Australian set-up taken by youngster Nathan Hauritz.

He had also been released by state side Victoria as the Bushrangers sought to sweep out the old guard following a fruitless season.

Miller played in 18 Tests during and before Australia's record unbeaten run of 16 Tests between 1999 and 2001.

He will now concentrate his efforts on behalf of his old club Footscray-University in Melbourne Grade competition.

Miller, famed as an extrovert who often died his hair bizarre colours, took 14 years to break into Test cricket after his first-class debut for Victoria in 1985.

But once there he took his first wicket with his fifth ball in his first Test - against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in October 1998.

In all he took 69 wickets in his 18 Tests at an average of 26.15, including 10 wickets in the match against the West Indies at Adelaide Oval in 2001.

He took 446 first class wickets at 30.97 in 126 matches for Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria again.

Between 2000 and 2001 Miller took 32 wickets at 21 in six Tests, which earned him the Allan Border Medal as Test Cricketer of the Year for 2001.

But he played his last Test against India in Madras in 2001.

'Magnificent memories'

Miller said: "It is unfortunate the time has come for me to withdraw from the game. 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.

"I have been lucky to meet so many great people, play with fantastic team-mates, and make so many friends while playing the game I love.

"But the time has come and I will hold on to the magnificent memories of 17 years of first class and international cricket.

"I will retire content that I have made the most of my opportunities and I have had some great highlights along the way.

"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."