Dane van Niekerk announces retirement from international cricket: Here’s why

South Africa’s women’s team all-rounder Dane van Niekerk has announced her retirement from international cricket.

Many predicted her major decision after the veteran was controversially dropped from SA’s squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 last month.

Notably, van Niekerk, one of the most successful all-rounders ever, served the national team for over 14 years.

Here are further details.

Van Niekerk was SA’s captain prior to the T20 WC. She was expected to lead the team in the global tournament.

However, she failed to pass the fitness test by 18 seconds and was eventually left out of the squad.

Sune Luus led the Proteas side in her absence as the hosts finished as the runners-up, losing to eventual champions Australia in the final.