Rassie van der Dussen of South Africa (AP/PTI) Reliable South African batsman Rassie van der Dussen has announced his retirement from international cricket, ending a career that earned him a place among the Proteas’ most reliable players. The 35-year-old shared the news via social media and expressed his gratitude and pride at representing South Africa. “It is with a proud heart and a deep sense of gratitude that I announce my retirement from international cricket. Wearing the Proteas jersey is a feat that requires a level of resilience and dedication that tests and rewards you in the most incredible way. Playing for my country has been the greatest honor of my life. The journey has been paved with years of sacrifice, but every moment has been worth representing South Africa. Van der Dussen made his T20I debut aged 29 against Zimbabwe, after an impressive record in both domestic and global T20 leagues. While he has played 18 Tests since his debut against England in 2019, it was the ODI format where he really shined. He was a key figure in South Africa’s 2019 World Cup campaign and became a mainstay in the middle order, amassing 2,657 runs in 71 matches at an average of over 50, second only to AB de Villiers among South African batsmen. During his career, van der Dussen scored 905 runs from 18 Tests (six fifties), 2,657 runs from 71 ODIs (six centuries, 17 fifties) and 1,406 runs from 57 T20Is (ten fifties). Even though he retires from international cricket, he will continue to play domestic cricket for the Lions and mentor young cricketers. “While my time with the Proteas is over, my journey is not. I will continue to play for my beloved Lions and I am determined to give back to this beautiful game by teaching and mentoring the next generation of South African cricketers. I love South Africa and I love cricket. Thank you for everything,” he concluded.
