Heinrich Klaasen retires from international cricket
Heinrich Klaasen has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket, ending a distinguished seven-year career with the Proteas.
The 33-year-old announced on Monday that he would be stepping away from the white-ball formats, which follows his retirement from red-ball cricket in 2024.
Klaasen made his ODI and T20 International debuts in the summer of 2018 and went on to establish himself as one of the most destructive white-ball players of his generation.
He has played 60 ODIs and amassed over 2,000 runs at an average of just under 44 in the middle order. His power-hitting prowess was on full display during a blistering career-best 174 against Australia at his home ground, SuperSport Park, in 2023 - the second highest score ever recorded by a number five.
Klaasen also represented South Africa in 58 T20Is, striking at a rate of 141.84.
“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket,” Klaasen said.
“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 had worked for and dreamed about as a young boy.
“Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people who changed my life, and to those people, I can’t say thank you enough. My road to wearing the Proteas shirt was different from 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 will always be a big Proteas supporter and would like to thank everyone who supported me and my teammates during my career.”
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