Johannesburg, April 2 South African cricketer Rassie van der Dussen, who was not included in the central contracts for this year, announced his international retirement on Thursday without giving any specific reasons, but said he would remain available for his domestic team, the Lions.
The 37-year-old from Johannesburg, who last played for the national team in March last year, played 18 Tests, 71 ODIs, and 57 T20 Internationals after making his debut in 2018 at the age of 29.
"With a proud heart and a deep sense of gratitude, I announce my retirement from international cricket," van der Dussen said in a statement on 'X'.
"Wearing the Proteas jersey is a feat that demands resilience and dedication, and it rewards you in the most incredible way. To have played for my country has been the greatest honour of my life.
"While my time in the Proteas jersey has come to an end, my journey is not over. I will continue to play for my beloved Lions, and I am committed to giving back to this beautiful game by teaching and mentoring the next generation of South African cricketers," he added in a lengthy post.
Van der Dussen made his debut in 2018 in a T20I against Zimbabwe before becoming a player across all formats. He averaged over 50 in his 2,657 runs, including six hundreds and 17 fifties in ODIs, the format in which he seemed most effective.
Van der Dussen thanked his coaches, teammates, and his wife for their support throughout his career.
"To my wife, Lara; you have been by my side every step of the way. You have navigated the highs and lows with empathy, grace, and strength, and you have been my biggest supporter, and I could not have done this without you," he said.
"To the people of South Africa and the fans; thank you. There is no feeling quite like hearing "MaThousand" called out in the streets, or the spine-tingling experience of walking out to bat at a packed Wanderers Stadium...
"Those moments of connection are difficult to describe, and those emotions will stay with me forever. To my teammates, coaches, mentors, and friends; thank you for making me a part of this story. Cricket has given me everything, and in many ways, I owe it my life," he wrote.
Van der Dussen played for the IPL side Rajasthan Royals in 2022 but has struggled to find takers in subsequent player auctions.
