After Dean Elgar's retirement, another big-name South Africa player calls it quits

After Dean Elgar's Test retirement, South Africa got the news another player deciding to quit the longest format of the game. South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from Test cricket on Monday. The 32-year-old only made his Test debut in 2019 against India and eventually played his last series against India in 2024. Klaasen played only four Test matches for his country with his last appearance coming in Johannesburg last year against the West Indies.

3 things you need to know

• Heinrich Klaasen has announced his retirement from Test cricket
• Klaasen played only 4 Test matches for South Africa
• Klaasen will continue to play in limited-overs cricket for SA

Klaasen retires from Test cricket

Klaasen's record in Test cricket is nothing to write home about as he has only managed 104 runs at a meager average of 13 runs and his top score is of 35 runs. Klaassen, however, confirmed, he will continue to be available for the Proteas in white-ball cricket.

"After a few sleepless nights wondering if I am making the right decision, I have decided to retire from red ball cricket," he said in a statement. "It's a difficult decision that I have made because it is by far my favourite format of the game." 

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"The battles that I faced on and off the field has 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 looking forward to it." It is understood that the explosive batter is keen on the T20 franchise leagues with his commitments in the IPL, Hundred, and MLC.

He has become the second South African player to retire from red-ball cricket within a week. Dean Elgar also hung up his boots following the conclusion of the two-Test series against India that ended in
a 1-1 draw last week. Klaasen was dropped for the India series, as head coach Shukri Conrad went ahead with Kyle Verreynne. 

(with PTI inputs)