CAPE TOWN — South African power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen on Monday announced his
retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect as he
aims to strike a work-life balance, prioritising his commitments in franchise
leagues across the globe.
The 33-year-old Klaasen had announced his retirement from
Test cricket in January last year and has now also decided to quit the white
ball formats having represented the Proteas in 4 Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is in
which he scored 2764 runs.
"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," Klaasen
announced on his Instagram.
One of the most sought after batters in the T20 leagues,
Klaasen had recently represented Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and scored a
ton in the concluding league game. His next assignment will be Major League
Cricket in the United States for Seattle Orcas later this month.
Klaasen, who played in the T20 World Cup final against
India, termed playing for the national team as his "biggest
privilege".
"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," Klaasen said in his emotional statement.
Someone who is known for his towering sixes and
game-changing knocks as a finisher in the T20 universe, the decision is hardly
surprising as the hectic international calendar is taking a toll on physical
and mental health of the players.
There has been multiple surveys that have pointed at this
trend where barring India whose active male cricketers are not allowed to ply
their trade in other leagues, top players from other countries would explore
options of turning full-fledged freelancers.
"I look forward to spending more time with my family
as this decision will allow me to do so."
Klaasen fondly remembered the friendships forged on a day
when another white ball exponent Glenn Maxwell quit ODIs.
"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."
"To have played with the Proteas badge on my chest
was and will always be the biggest honour in my career," he concluded.
