Heinrich Klaasen retires from red-ball cricket

                                 Heinrich Klaasen retires from red-ball cricket

 Heinrich Klaasen will retire from Test cricket with immediate effect, Cricket South Africa announced on Monday (January 8). The 32-year-old played four Tests for the Proteas, the last against the West Indies in March last year.

Despite a promising first-class record (46.09 average from 85 matches), Klaasen was primarily an understudy to Quinton de Kock at the Test level. He broke through in 2019 and earned his first cap in Ranchi during a tour of India. It took him nearly four years to add to his one cap before playing in Sydney, Centurion, and Johannesburg in 2023. Overall, he managed to total just 104 runs with a best of 35 and was since replaced in the xI by Kyle Verreynne.

Klaasen will now devote his full attention to the white-ball game following a very successful 2023 season in which he averaged 172.71 in T20s and 140.66 in ODIs.

"After some sleepless nights wondering if I'm making the right decision, I've decided to retire from red-ball cricket. "It was a difficult decision for me to make because it is by far my favourite game format," Klaasen said. "The battles I faced on and off the pitch shaped me into the cricketer I am today. It's been a fantastic journey, and I'm thankful I got to represent my country.

"My baggy Test cap is the most precious cap I've ever been given. Thank you to everyone who helped shape my red-ball career and made me the cricketer I am today. But, for the time being, a new challenge awaits, which I eagerly anticipate."