SHOCK ANNOUNCEMENT Proteas wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen announced his retirement from international cricket at 33 on Monday, after a distinguished career marked by explosive batting performances across all formats.Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Proteas wicket-keeper batsman Heinrich Klaasen on Monday announced his retirement from international cricket.
At just 33, Klaasen played 122 matches for South Africa across all three formats since making his debut in 2018.
Known for his explosive hitting in the middle to lower order, Klaasen scored four One-Day International centuries and 11 fifties. In T20Is, Klaasen scored five half-centuries with a top score of 72.
Klaasen made the announcement on his Instagram page, which read:
Farewell to International Cricket: A Personal Reflection
“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket. It took me a long time to decide what’s best for me and my family for the future. It was truly a very difficult decision but also one that I have absolute peace with.
“From the first day, it was the biggest privilege representing my country and it was everything that I have worked for and dreamed about as a young boy.
“I have made great friendships and relationships that I will treasure for life. Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people that changed my life, and to those people I can’t say thank you enough. My road to wearing the Proteas shirt was different than most and there were certain coaches in my career that kept believing in me - to them I will always be grateful.
“To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career.
“I look forward to spending more time with my family as this decision will allow me to do so.
"I will always be a big Proteas supporter and would like to thank everyone that supported me and my teammates during my career.”