South African wicket-keeper batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from Test cricket with immediate effect. Klaasen has represented South Africa in four Test matches and in eight Test innings he had made just 102 runs with an average of 13. (More Cricket News)
However, he will continue to play for South Africa in ODIs and T20Is. He played his last Test against West Indies at the Wanderers last year. He was not picked for the recently concluded two-Test series against India. South Africa's Test coach Shukri Conrad selected another wicket-keeper batter Kyle Verreynne over Klaasen.
The 32-year-old cricketer did not clarify the reasons behind his sudden announcement of retirement from the traditional format. He had been excluded from the Test squad for some time and his involvement in other franchise cricket commitments, such as IPL, MLC, and The Hundred, may have contributed to his decision.
In his statement, Klaasen said, "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. 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."
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Klaasen has become the second South African cricketer to retire, following veteran Dean Elgar who also retired after the Test series against India. Recently, Cricket South Africa faced criticism for naming an inexperienced Test squad which will be led by uncapped Neil Brand to play in New Zealand.
CSA explained that the reason for sending a comparatively weaker team Down Under was due to the schedule conflict with SA20 (South Africa's franchise cricket).
