After an extended interval on the sidelines and missing out on the T20 World Cup squad, former Proteas skipper Dané van Niekerk has retired from international cricket.
She posted a story on Instagram with the following last week:
“You soon have to accept that some chapters in our lives have to close without closure. There’s no point in losing yourself by trying to fix what’s meant to stay broken.”
This was followed by a post from her wife, Marizanne Kapp:
CSA announced the retirement in a press release:
Renowned Momentum Proteas all-rounder, Dané van Niekerk has confirmed her official retirement from all forms of international cricket after a career that spanned more than 14 years.
The 29-year-old enjoyed an illustrious international career for South Africa, representing her country on 194 occasions, including 107 One-Day Internationals (ODI), 86 T20 Internationals (T20Is) and a single Test match against India in 2014.
Beginning her career in March 2009, the former Proteas captain recorded 2 175 runs in ODI cricket, with nine half-centuries and a career-best score of 102 against Sri Lanka, while amassing a further 1 877 runs in T20 cricket, notching up 10 fifties.
With the ball, the leg-spinner bagged 204 international scalps overall (138 in ODIs, 65 in T20Is and 1 in Tests), including recording-breaking figures of four for zero during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 against the West Indies in Leicester, England.
Amongst van Niekerk’s other notable records, the Tshwane-born star is one of only six female cricketers to claim more than 1000 runs, 50 wickets and 50 catches in the One-Day format, while also having the fourth-best bowling strike rate (5.0) recorded in the history of Women’s ODI cricket.
Van Niekerk also led South Africa as one of the best and most-capped captains in the country’s history, walking out in 50 ODI encounters, winning 29 matches (61.22%), between 2016 and her last international appearance in September 2021. In the shorter format, van Niekerk skippered the nation to 15 victories in 30 matches (50%).
Van Niekerk’s statement is as follows:
“It is with great sadness that I announce my retirement from international cricket.
“It has been the greatest honour to lead and represent my country. I am incredibly blessed to have led the team through its transformative years. There is no doubt that the women’s game is in an exciting space and looking forward to seeing this beautiful game that I love grow.
“I look back on my career fondly and have made incredible memories and want to thank Cricket South Africa and all other stakeholders for your support.
“Often the journey can be lonely, painful, and emotional, but would not change it for anything. I’m grateful for what this game has given me.
“To all the players that I had the privilege to have shared the dressing room and competed with, I will hold on to the memories dearly.
“We are merely custodians of this sport; I hand it over knowing I have given it my everything and that women’s cricket is in a better place than when I arrived. That must be the responsibility of the new group, to always make sure you are improving and making a difference. It is time for me to support the new leadership and wish them all the very best.
“To my amazing family. Thank you for your incredible love and support. From the age of four, you have seen the potential and did everything and anything to help me exceed. I will forever be grateful.
“My wife, Marizanne, you stood by my side since day one. Thank you for putting up with me and all that came with it, but yet, here you are. You are at the pinnacle of your career and it is my time to support you, the way you have supported me. I love you,”
CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe added:
“I would like to take this opportunity to graciously thank Dané for all her years of service and contribution to not only the ground-breaking success of the Momentum Proteas over the last decade, but to the overall growth and popularity of women’s cricket in South Africa and around the world.
“Her world-class cricketing ability and exceptional leadership skills are irrefutable and will surely be missed by her teammates, coaches and all South African fans who have followed her journey over the last 14 years.
“We wish Dané all the very best ahead of the next chapter in her career,” he added.
Prior to the T20 World Cup, the fitness requirements stipulated a 2 km run in 9 minutes. Having fallen short by 18 seconds, she was deemed ineligible to lead the South Africa squad in her home country. The Proteas Women went on to reach the World Cup final and became the first senior South African cricket team to make a World Cup final.
More recently, the Royal Challengers Bangalore recruited her for the WPL.
The leg-spin bowling allrounder has made 2175 runs and has taken 138 wickets in 107 ODIs, as well as 1877 runs and 65 wickets in 86 T20Is.
Van Niekerk will now be available for T20 franchise tournaments around the world. She has already been a staple feature in the WBBL as well as the Hundred.
