South Africa’s Chetty retires from all cricket with ‘no regrets and a full heart’

By shkhfiroj@gmail.com Last updated Mar 17, 2023 0

South African wicketkeeper Trisha Chetty has retired from all cricket, ending a 21-year domestic and 16-year international career. Chetty retires due to a recurring back injury that also saw her miss the T20 World Cup at home last month.

She ends with one register 182 fired with the gloves in women’s ODIs, 46 more than the second woman on the list, Sarah Taylor.

Chetty, 34, last played for South Africa in an ODI against England in July 2022. Having not represented the country for nearly eight months, it was also unlikely that Chetty would have been awarded a national contract which expires later this month announced.

She made her international debut in 2007 and was part of the generation of players that emerged as women’s cricket transitioned from amateur to professional in South Africa. She finishes with 134 ODI caps, 82 T20I appearances and two test runs. Chetty and Dane van Niekerk, who also recently retired but only from internationals, join Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee from the first generation of South African women’s professional players to retire.

Chetty initially made an impact in her early teens from 2002 after a stint with Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union and Dolphins. She then made her breakthrough in the national team as an 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, taking over from Daleen Terblanche. She hit 20 half-centuries in internationals with a high score of 95 against Ireland in an ODI in 2016.

“I can still remember the incredible feeling I had in 2007 when I walked the border rope for the first time dressed in green and gold,” Chetty said in a CSA statement. “For the past 16 years it has been a privilege to represent my country and play for the Proteas, and that feeling has never gone away – every time I put on my South African kit I felt honored to do so.

“But now, due to a recurring back injury in the last 5 years, it’s time for me to hang up my boots and let the gloves catch dust. I’ve tried everything to keep playing and pushed as hard as I could, but my body is signaling that it has no more to give and that it is time to stop all forms of cricket.

“This was not an easy decision for me, and even now I can’t believe my career is over. However, my cricket career has been a life changing experience and I look back with no regrets and with a full heart.

“I am so grateful to my mom and dad, family and friends for being there for me through all the ups and downs, the successes and the losses. Without my support system I would never have been able to make this journey.

“Cricket taught me about life, being disciplined, what it means to be a professional and how to be a team player. I will always be grateful for this. And I choose to remain grateful for cricket as I retire and moving on to the next chapter of my life. Finally, I want to thank the fans for all your undying support over the years. I will never forget it.”

Chetty has represented South Africa in four ODI World Cups (2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022) and all T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2020, excluding the one in 2018. She reached four semi-finals at the World Cup events in the two formats .

CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe praised Chetty as “one of the best wicket-keepers to ever play the game”.

“Chetty’s commitment and dedication to the sport and to the rise of women’s cricket over the years has been exemplary, and her legacy will be respected for many years to come as the next generation strives to follow in her footsteps,” he said. “I trust that Trisha will have another fruitful journey in her future endeavours, as her impact and presence, on and off the pitch, will last long among the cricket fraternity.

News of Chetty’s retirement comes a day after Van Niekerk confirmed her own retirement. However, unlike Van Niekerk, Chetty is not expected to continue appearing in franchise competitions.

South Africa’s Chetty retires from all cricket with ‘no regrets and a full heart’

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