It was first reported over the weekend by ESPNCricinfo that Van Niekerk – who’s South Africa’s most profitable captain in ODIs – was quickly set to verify her worldwide retirement.
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Still solely 29 years previous, Van Niekerk sadly spent an prolonged interval on the sidelines final 12 months after breaking her ankle, whereas she notably missed out on T20 World Cup choice final month after failing to cross the CSA health check by a mere 18 seconds.
An article about her attainable retirement was printed by Australian publication, Fox Sports, this previous weekend, with a stunning headline studying: “‘Meant to stay broken’: Fat-shamed cricket star to retire after 2km cut-off controversy”.
On Tuesday, Van Niekerk took to social media the place she instantly commented on the article. She acknowledged in a quote tweet: “Excuse me?? Fat shamed?? Are u serious??”
In a further remark, she added: “To be truly honest.. this broke me… again.. it breaks more than anyone will know..”
Van Niekerk’s teammate and spouse, Marizanne Kapp, additionally hit out at Fox Cricket, commenting with clear sarcasm: “Nice article @FoxCricket… contributing 100% in direction of gamers psychological well being struggles, good on you!`’
It now stays to be seen whether or not Fox Sports will present any response or suggestions to this shockingly worded headline.
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Van Niekerk final performed worldwide cricket in September 2021, having finally represented South Africa in 107 ODIs, whereas she featured in 86 T20 video games.
The all-rounder lately hinted at her retirement on social media, stating: “You have to accept that some chapters in our lives have to close without closures… There is no point in losing yourself by trying to fix what’s meant to stay broken.”
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It stays to be seen when a extra formal assertion is perhaps made, however Kapp reportedly confirmed the information after the Gujarat Giants-Delhi Capitals match on the Women’s Premier League in Mumbai on Saturday.
“Sometimes it feels like I am the one who’s retiring, just so heartbreaking. We’ve grown up in the South Africa team. It was difficult to hear the decision. She seems in a better place mentally and that’s what matters,” Kapp was quoted as saying.
The gifted participant is without doubt one of the most well-known South African girls’s gamers of all-time
In 107 ODIs, Van Niekerk made 2175 runs and took 138 wickets, whereas in T20Is, she scored 1877 runs at a strike charge of 94.94 and claimed 65 wickets at an economic system charge of 5.45.
She additionally performed a Test match towards India in Mysore in November 2014.
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