Latest news with #CricketSouthAfrica
eNCA
10 hours ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Heinrich Klaasen retires from international cricket
JOHANNESBURG - South African batsman-wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen announced that he was retiring from international cricket. The big-hitting Klaasen earned a reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen in white-ball cricket. "Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people who changed my life," Klaasen said in a statement issued by Cricket South Africa. Klaasen scored 2,141 runs at an average of 43.69 in 60 one-day internationals, maintaining a strike rate of 117.05. His highest score of 174 was made off 83 balls against Australia at Centurion in 2023. He scored 1,000 runs at a strike rate of 141.84 in 58 Twenty20 internationals. He also played in four Test matches before he retired from red-ball cricket in 2024. His ability to score quickly made him a sought-after player in franchise competitions around the world. He was signed by Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad for a record 23 crore (US$2.69-million) for the 2025 season. He is expected to continue to be available for franchise cricket. Enoch Nkwe, South Africa's director national teams, described Klaasen as "a true match-winner for South Africa. He was capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of overs." Klaasen was not among the players awarded a Cricket South Africa contract in April and the governing body said at the time that discussions regarding his future were ongoing. South African coach Shukri Conrad said after being appointed white-ball coach last month in addition to his role as Test coach, that he expected players to prioritise playing for South Africa above T20 leagues.
Gulf Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Gulf Today
South Africa's power hitter Klaasen announces retirement
Big-hitting South Africa wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket, adding that this decision will now allow him to spend more time with his family. Klaasen had previously retired from Tests, where he made just four appearances, to focus on white-ball cricket commitments for South Africa, where his last international appearance for them came in the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final defeat to New Zealand. '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. 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,' wrote Klaasen on his Instagram account on Monday. Klaasen, 33, made his international debut in 2018 and went to play in 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is for South Africa, amassing 2141 and 1000 runs respectively across formats. While he smashed four centuries and 11 fifties in ODIs, Klaasen had five T20I half-centuries against his name. Known for his belligerent six-hitting as a middle-order batter, Klaasen was also the member of South African team finishing runners-up in 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. '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,' he concluded. Enoch Nkwe, South Africa's Director of national teams and High Performance, said Klaasen had been transparent in communication with Cricket South Africa (CSA) in last few months, adding that he fully respects the keeper-batter's decision. 'Heinrich has been a true match-winner for South Africa. He was a player capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of overs. His commitment and impact in the white-ball formats have been immense, and we thank him for his outstanding service to South African cricket.' 'He has been transparent with Cricket South Africa throughout the past few months, and we fully respect his decision to retire from international cricket. We wish him continued success in the next chapter of his journey,' said Nkwe in a statement. With his international career over, Klaasen will now be visible on the T20 franchise circuit via deals with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket (MLC), Durban's Super Giants in SA20 and Manchester Originals in The Hundred. Agencies
Associated Press
a day ago
- General
- Associated Press
South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen retires from international cricket
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Big-hitting South Africa wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen announced his retirement from international cricket Monday to spend more time with his family. Klaasen's decision comes as a surprise given his importance to South Africa and impact in franchise leagues around the world. It comes just less than a year after he was South Africa's top scorer in its loss to India in the T20 World Cup final. '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,' Klaasen said, adding that he was looking forward to more time with his family. The 33-year-old Klaasen has played 122 games for South Africa across all formats but in April he was left off South Africa's list of players on central contracts for 2025 and 2026. Cricket South Africa said at the time that talks on his future were ongoing. Klaasen had previously retired from test cricket last year after having played four career tests for South Africa. 'Heinrich has been a fantastic ambassador for South African cricket, both on and off the field. His performances in the green and gold have brought joy to many South Africans, and his legacy will undoubtedly inspire the next generation,' Cricket South Africa chief executive Pholetsi Moseki said in a statement Monday. 'We thank him for his contributions over the years and wish him everything of the best for the future.' Klaasen announced his retirement on the same day as another big-hitting player, Australia's Glenn Maxwell, confirmed his retirement from one-day international cricket. ___ AP cricket:
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
South Africa's Klaasen retires from international cricket
SOUTH African batsman-wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen announced on Monday that he was retiring from international cricket. The big-hitting Klaasen, 33, earned a reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen in white-ball cricket. 'Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people who changed my life,' Klaasen said in a statement issued by Cricket South Africa. Klaasen scored 2141 runs at an average of 43.69 in 60 one-day internationals, maintaining a strike rate of 117.05. His highest score of 174 was made off 83 balls against Australia at Centurion in 2023. He scored 1000 runs at a strike rate of 141.84 in 58 Twenty20 internationals. He also played in four Test matches before he retired from red-ball cricket in 2024. His ability to score quickly made him a sought-after player in franchise competitions around the world. He was signed by Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad for a record 23 crore (US$2.69-million) for the 2025 season. He is expected to continue to be available for franchise cricket. Enoch Nkwe, South Africa's director national teams, described Klaasen as 'a true match-winner for South Africa. He was capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of overs.' Klaasen was not among the players awarded a Cricket South Africa contract in April and the governing body said at the time that discussions regarding his future were ongoing. South African coach Shukri Conrad said after being appointed white-ball coach last month in addition to his role as Test coach, that he expected players to prioritise playing for South Africa above T20 leagues.
France 24
a day ago
- Sport
- France 24
South Africa's Klaasen retires from international cricket
The big-hitting Klaasen, 33, earned a reputation as one of the most destructive batsmen in white-ball cricket. "Playing for the Proteas gave me the opportunity to meet great people who changed my life," Klaasen said in a statement issued by Cricket South Africa. Klaasen scored 2141 runs at an average of 43.69 in 60 one-day internationals, maintaining a strike rate of 117.05. His highest score of 174 was made off 83 balls against Australia at Centurion in 2023. He scored 1000 runs at a strike rate of 141.84 in 58 Twenty20 internationals. He also played in four Test matches before he retired from red-ball cricket in 2024. His ability to score quickly made him a sought-after player in franchise competitions around the world. He was signed by Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad for a record 23 crore (US$2.69-million) for the 2025 season. He is expected to continue to be available for franchise cricket. Enoch Nkwe, South Africa's director national teams, described Klaasen as "a true match-winner for South Africa. He was capable of changing the course of a game in a matter of overs." Klaasen was not among the players awarded a Cricket South Africa contract in April and the governing body said at the time that discussions regarding his future were ongoing. South African coach Shukri Conrad said after being appointed white-ball coach last month in addition to his role as Test coach, that he expected players to prioritise playing for South Africa above T20 leagues.
