Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 2: South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career that saw him make significant contributions in the white-ball formats.

The 33-year-old, who had earlier stepped away from Test cricket after just four appearances, shared his decision in an emotional statement on Instagram on Monday.

“It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket,” Klaasen wrote. “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.”

Reflecting on his journey with the Proteas, Klaasen called representing his country “the biggest privilege” of his career. “From the first day, it was everything I had 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,” he added.

Klaasen emphasized that stepping away will allow him to spend more time with his family. “I will always be a big Proteas supporter and would like to thank everyone who supported me and my teammates during my career.”

Klaasen made his international debut in 2018 and went on to represent South Africa in 60 One-Day Internationals and 58 T20 Internationals, scoring 2,141 runs and 1,000 runs respectively. His ODI record includes four centuries and 11 half-centuries, while he notched up five fifties in T20Is.

Known for his powerful six-hitting in the middle order, Klaasen was instrumental in South Africa’s run to the final of the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup, where they finished as runners-up.

Reflecting on his time with the national team, Klaasen said: “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 who changed my life, and to those people, I can’t say thank you enough.”

He also expressed gratitude towards the coaches who supported him through his unique journey to the top. “My road to wearing the Proteas shirt was different than most, and there were certain coaches in my career who kept believing in me — to them, I will always be grateful,” he concluded.

Klaasen’s decision marks the end of an era for South African cricket fans who admired his fearless approach at the crease and his unwavering commitment to the Proteas cause.