South Africa all-rounder Pretorius retires from international cricket
Pretorius made his international debut back in 2016 and was part of the South Africa squad for the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup. Pretorius had finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker from the Proteas camp in the T20 World Cup in UAE, where he picked nine wickets in five matches.
South Africa all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius on Monday announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. The all-rounder had made a total of 60 appearances for the Proteas across all formats, with the maximum being in the shorter format. Pretorius had featured in 30 T20Is, 27 ODIs, and 3 Tests, in which he amassed 1895 runs and scalped 77 wickets.
Pretorius made his international debut back in 2016 and was part of the South Africa squad for the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2021 T20 World Cup. Pretorius had finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker from the Proteas camp in the T20 World Cup in UAE, where he picked nine wickets in five matches.
During the ODI World Cup in England, the all-rounder had produced a clinical bowling display against Sri Lanka, which saw him return with figures reading 3/25 and was also named the Player of the Match.
Pretorius best performance in T20Is came against Pakistan in Lahore in 2021, when he completed his first and only five-wicket haul in the international circuit. He had then scalped 5/17, which currently stand as the best figures for a South African player in men's T20Is.
Pretorius will now channel his entire focus to franchise cricket. The all-rounder in an official statement said: "A few days ago, I made one of the toughest decisions of my cricketing career. I have decided to retire from all forms of international cricket.
"Growing up, my only goal in life was to play for the Proteas. I didn't know how it was going to happen, but God gave me talent and a serious will to succeed. The rest was in his hands.
"I am shifting my focus to T20 and other shorter formats for the rest of my career."
"All the players I have played with and against over the years you have had an impact on my career. It's so difficult to highlight only one or two because there are so many players that had an impact, but I can mention a few I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with:
Hardus Viljoen, Chris Morris, Nicky van den Bergh, Rassie Van Der Dussen, Steven Cook, Tabraiz Shamsi, Anrich Nortje, Neil Mackenzie and a special mention has to go to Andrea Agathagelou, we spent hours and hours training together in an effort to reach our goal in playing for the Proteas. Without a doubt I would not be where I am today without all your help and support.
"A special mention goes to Faf Du Plessis, who brought me back after being let go from the international side the first time and who backed me and helped me become a better player; thank you."
"I leave the Proteas team knowing that every time I stepped on to the field, I gave everything I had in me. From playing with broken toes, fingers and torn muscles, to carrying drinks, team meetings and helping other players wherever I could. It has been a blast.
"Thank you to all the fans for your support and love -you made it extra special."