KLAAS IS UIT

HEINRICH Klaasen delivered a huge blow to South African cricket after the mokerman announced his retirement from ODIs and T20Is yesterday.

The Proteas wicketkeeper/batter, who has been a mainstay of the white-ball span over the past few seasons has sighted family reasons for his decision to bedank.

In a Cricket South Africa statement, Klaasen, says: “It is a sad day for me as I announce that I have decided to step away from international cricket...

“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.

“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.

“To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest was and will always be the biggest honour in my career.”

Klaasen, who already retired from Test cricket in 2024, has been a huge star with bat in hand for the Proteas in the white ball formats. And some of his heroics with the bat during the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States will stand out after klapping South Africa to a first-ever final in the format, scoring 190 runs at the tournament.  

During his time as a Protea, the 33-year-old Klaasen played in four Test matches, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is – scoring a total of 3 144 runs across the three formats.

KLAASEN IN SHORT

Born: 30 July 1991 (age 33, Pretoria

Proteas (2018–2025)

Tests: 4 

Test runs and average: 104 (13)

Highest Test score: 35 

ODIs: 60

ODI runs and average: 2 141 (43.69)

Highest ODI score: 174 

T20Is: 58 

T20I runs and average: 1 000 (23.25)

Highest T20I score: 81