Photo: Collected
South Africa's wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen announced his Test retirement on Monday (Jan 8). The swashbuckling batter played only four Tests for South Africa, with his last appearance in red-ball cricket coming against West Indies in March last year. Klaasen ended his Test career with 104 runs in 4 matches. In late 2021, Quinton de Kock -- South Africa's regular keeper-batter since Mark Boucher's retirement -- had also called it quits from the format. In the recently-ended home series versus India, it was Kyle Verreynne who kept wickets with Klaasen being out of the squad.
Announcing his retirement, Klaasen said in a statement, as quoted by Cricbuzz, "After a few sleepless nights wondering if I am making the right decision, I have decided to retire from red-ball cricket. It's a difficult decision that I have made because it is by far my favourite format of the game. The battles that I faced on and off the field have made me the cricketer I am today. It has been a great journey and I am glad I could have represented my country.
"My baggy Test cap is the most precious cap I have ever been handed. Thanks to everyone that has played a part in my red-ball career and shaped me into the cricketer I am today. But for now a new challenge awaits and I am looking forward to it," he added.
Messenger/Shahed
