The South African fast bowler Rory Kleinveldt has decided to hang his boots from his red-ball cricketing career on Thursday. His decision came after Cape Cobras’ six-wicket loss in the Franchise Series against the Warriors at Newlands. He last played for South Africa in February 2013, in a Test match against Pakistan. However, he remained active in the domestic first-class format and English county circuit.
On Thursday, the 35-year-old took to his official Twitter account to announce the news of his retirement. And later on, he made another tweet to confirm that it was only “red-ball cricket” that he was quitting. He tweeted “Finally lost the love for the toil!!!! Been a great ride and made some unbelievable memories. Love to all my teammates, coaches, family and friends for the support over the 17 years.”
Here’s the post and the clarification:
Finally lost the love for the toil !!! Been a great ride n made some unbelievable memories!! Love to all my teammates,coaches,family n friends for the support over the 17 years!
— Rory Kleinveldt (@RoryK_9) January 17, 2019
Sorry guys meant to #redball
— Rory Kleinveldt (@RoryK_9) January 17, 2019
A hard-hitting lower order batsman and a bowler who has the ability to move the ball both ways, Kleinveldt will remain part of the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras’ white-ball campaigns.
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Following Kleinveldt’s retirement announcement, several people from the cricketing fraternity wished him for a better future ahead.
Def fulfilled the talent you had guy so be proud of a wonderful career and everything you achieved! Bowled a heavy ball and moered a long one!! Come join the toppies on the🏌️ circuit.👌
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) January 17, 2019
Good luck matey was a pleasure 😉
— Paul Collingwood (@Colly622) January 17, 2019
Go well Rorz. Great shift, enjoy the rest big man
— Brendan Taylor (@BrendanTaylor86) January 17, 2019
Congrats on your career… #bigshow #gun
— Owais shah (@owaisshah203) January 17, 2019
Machine bud! 17 years and always made a impact! You can be very proud
Congrats bro— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 17, 2019
Congrats on a great career bud , you can be very proud 🙏🏽
— Kyle Jarvis (@KyleJarv89) January 17, 2019
Kleinveldt ended up his career in red-ball cricket with just 10 wickets in Tests but a mammoth tally of 454 scalps in the first-class arena in 148 first-class games, averaging 27.98. His career-best figures of 9 for 65 was for Northampton in the 2017-2018 season, wherein he accounted for 50 first-class batsmen.
Rory’s maiden county stint came with Hampshire, in 2008. However, since his last appearance for South Africa, an ODI in July 2013, he plied his trade at Northamptonshire and made an impact immediately. His 57-wicket season in 2015 in the County Championship, followed by astute bowling in the T20 tournament, led Northants to the T20 finals day that season. A few months later, Kleinveldt confirmed he had no interest in resuming his international career in a letter to Cricket South Africa.
