SA wicket keeper-batter Klassen retires from international cricket

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has called time on his international career as he looks to prioritize his T20 league future.

- STAESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The 33-year-old, who had already announced his Test retirement in January 2024, was primarily a white-ball specialist, and Monday's announcement means he potentially played his last game for South Africa in the Champions Trophy semifinal defeat to New Zealand in Lahore in March.

During the course of his seven-year international career, he played four Tests, 60 ODIs and 58 T20Is. Having made his reputation as one of the cleanest hitters of the ball, Klaasen exits ODIs with one of the highest career strike rates. One of his most memorable knocks was a blistering 83-ball 174 against Australia in Centurion.

He also played a key role in South Africa's runs to the semifinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup as well as the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. His dismissal in that final against India for a 27-ball 52 was one of the major turning points in South Africa's loss.