Heinrich Klaasen retires from Test cricket

Heinrich Klaasen retires from Test cricket

Proteas wicketkeeper batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect.

The 32-year-old steps away from the red-ball format after featuring in four matches for South Africa between 2019 and 2023.

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He made his Test debut in India and went on to represent the country in Australia and twice played against the West Indies last summer.

He also played 85 first-class matches where he amassed 5347 runs at an average of 46.09, including 12 hundreds and a career-best of 292 for the Momentum Multiply Titans in the CSA 4-Day Series.

Heinrich Klaasen announces retirement from Test cricket
Heinrich Klaasen

WHY HEINRICH KLAASEN FEELS RETIREMENT IS THE ONLY OPTION

“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,” said Klaasen.

“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.”  

Cricket South Africa’s Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe added: “It is tough to see a player of Heinrich’s calibre step away from red-ball cricket, but we respect his decision.  

“We look forward to seeing him excel in the white-ball arena and continue to make valuable contributions to South African cricket in the years ahead.” 

Phenomenal Klaasen level series for the Proteas

Phenomenal Klaasen level series for the Proteas

Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen produced one of the best innings to help South Africa level the ODI Series 2-2 against Australia. This follows a mammoth 164-run win at SuperSport Park in Centurion, Gauteng on Friday. 

He smashed a phenomenal 174 off 83 balls, an innings that included 13 sixes and 13 fours, to power the hosts to a massive 416 for five. It is their second-highest total versus the tourists. 

HEINRICH KLAASEN PRODUCE CLASSY INNINGS 

He shared in a record-breaking 222-run partnership with David Miller. The other big contribution comes from Rassie van der Dussen.

Lungi Ngidi then claimed four wickets for 51 and Kagiso Rabada nabbed three for 41 to seal South Africa’s second-biggest win over their old rivals. 

The Proteas were without regular captain Temba Bavuma at the start due to an adductor strain with T20I skipper Aiden Markram leading them instead. 

PROTEAS ODI SQUAD AGAINST AUSTRALIA 

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), and Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions). 

SERIES SCHEDULE 

Thursday, 07 September – 13:00  

South Africa lost to Australia by 3 wickets at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein  

Saturday, 09 September – 13:00  

South Africa lost to Australia by 123 runs at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein   

Tuesday, 12 September – 13:00  

South Africa beat Australia by 111 runs at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom  

Friday, 15 September – 13:00  

South Africa beat Australia by 164 runs at SuperSport Park, Centurion  

Sunday, 17 September – 10:00  

South Africa vs Australia – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg  

Klaasen earns Proteas a share of series with West Indies 

Klaasen earns Proteas a share of series with West Indies 

A second career century by Heinrich Klaasen helped the Proteas beat West Indies by four wickets to earn a share of their ODI Series at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

 Klaasen plundered an unbeaten 119 from just 61 balls (15 fours, 5 sixes). Along the way recorded the fourth fastest century by a South African to help the hosts chase down a target of 261 inside 30 overs.

Also read: Mulder ruled out of Proteas ODI series against West indies 

Heinrich Klaasen in the history books

Klaasen reached three figures from just 54 balls. Only AB de Villiers (twice) and Mark Boucher, were quicker than him to reach 100. The three-match series ended 1-1 after the first game of their showdown was washed out in East London last week.

Before Klaasen’s heroics, Marco Jansen (2/46), Bjorn Fortuin (2/46) and Gerald Coetzee (2/53) all took two wickets each to shoot out the tourists for 260 in 48.2 overs. Brandon King top-scored for the away side with 72 (72 balls, 11 fours, 1 six).

The Proteas were without several players at the start, captain Temba Bavuma, Reeza Hendricks and Sisanda Magala were all ruled out. This meant T20I skipper Aiden Markram was placed in temporary charge.

Heinrich Klaasen inspires Proteas series win against West Indies
Proteas and West indies series ended 1-1

Proteas 3rd ODI squad against West Indies

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Tony de Zorzi (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sisanda Magala (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Wayne Parnell (Six Gun Grill Western Province), Andile Phehlukwayo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tabraiz Shamsi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions).

South Africa One-Day International Series against West Indies

Thursday, 16 March at 13:00

South Africa vs West Indies – Match Abandoned – Buffalo Park, East London

Saturday, 18 March at 13:00

South Africa lost to West Indies by 48 runs – Buffalo Park, East London

Tuesday, 21 March at 10:00

South Africa beat West Indies by four wickets – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

England deny Proteas 3-0 ODI sweep in Kimberley

England deny Proteas 3-0 ODI sweep in Kimberley

Proteas batter Heinrich Klaasen struck 80 runs from 42 balls but it was not enough as they fell 59 runs short in the third ODI against England in Kimberley on Wednesday.

Klaasen clubbed two sixes and seven fours in his entertaining effort that kept South Africa on course to chase down of 347 before they ran out of wickets.

South Africa eventually fell to 287 all out. Klaasen was supported by Reeza Hendricks (52 off 61 balls, 6 fours), captain Temba Bavuma (35), Aiden Markram (39) and Wayne Parnell (34).

However, a career-best six for 40 by England paceman Jofra Archer proved detrimental and was decisive in the final outcome.

South Africa came into match with three with back-to-back wins over England in Bloemfontein. They rested fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje.

PROTEAS STILL NOT IN THE TOP EIGHT

The Proteas remained in ninth place on the ICC World Cup Super League table. They have two matches against Netherlands still to come later in the season.

Proteas ODI squad after series win against England
Proteas ODI squad after series win against England

Defeats in late March and early April could force the Proteas to enter a qualifying tournament.

ODI SERIES AGAINST ENGLAND RESULTS

Friday, 27 January

South Africa beat England by 27 runs – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

Sunday, 29 January

South Africa beat England by five wickets – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein

 Wednesday, 01 February

South Africa lost to England by 59 runs – The Oval, Kimberley