Heinrich Klaasen announces retirement from Test cricket

Heinrich Klaasen has made a huge decision on Test cricket. The 32-year-old called it a day in the longest format of the game after having represented South Africa in 4 matches. The decision comes after the star batter has not had an opportunity to represent his side in some time. Klaasen last played a Test match in March 2023 and has played only limited-overs cricket since then.

In Test cricket, the WK batter does not have that great a record in the limited number of appearances. In 4 matches in his career, Klaasen has managed to score only 104 runs at a batting average of just 13.00, with a best score of 35 runs to his name. In comparison to it, SA seems to have a better option in Kyle Verreynne, who is also younger than the aggressive WK batter.

Given the fact that Klaasen has turned 32 years old and there are better options than him for his international side, the star batter has decided to bid adieu to the format. Klaasen spoke about his retirement from the format and claimed that he thought about his decision a lot of times before sticking with it. Klaasen added that test cricket is his favorite format to play.

‘It is by far my favorite format of the game’ – Heinrich Klaasen

“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 favorite format of the game,” Klaasen revealed in his explanation for retiring from the format. The South African batter was terrific for his side in the ODI World Cup 2023 where he was phenomenal.

The middle-order batter added that the struggles he faced on and off the field made him the cricketer he is today. For that matter, the 32-year-old thanked everyone and felt glad to have represented SA in the format. “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,” added Klaasen.