Renowned Momentum Proteas allrounder Dane 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 legspinner 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.
Among Van Niekerk’s other notable records, the Tshwane-born star is one of only six female cricketers to notch up 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 per cent), 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 per cent).
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Dané van Niekerk has confirmed her official retirement from all forms of international cricket after a career that spanned more than 14 years with the Momentum Proteas ?? pic.twitter.com/JIpec3W8U0
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 I'm 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 I 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 succeed. 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.