Mignon du Preez retires from ODIs and Tests

South African batter Mignon du Preez, on Thursday (April 7), announced her retirement from ODIs and Test cricket but will continue to play T20Is. The 32-year-old featured in 154 ODIs - most by any South African Women's player - and scored 3760 runs at an average of 32.98, studded with two centuries and 18 fifties.

"I've been wonderfully fortunate to play in four ICC ODI World Cups to date. These have been some of my most treasured memories in life. I would however love to prioritise time with my family and hopefully start a family of my own soon," du Preez said in a statement issued by Cricket South Africa.

"I feel the time is right to announce my retirement from the longer format of the game and focus my attention on T20 cricket going forward. Thus, I decided to retire from ODI cricket at the completion of our recent World Cup in New Zealand.

"I feel South African women's cricket is in a very healthy state and the time is right to step away and allow the next generation of exciting cricketers to continue to grow this beautiful game of ours."

Du Preez made her ODI debut in January 2007, while her solitary Test came against India in 2014. The right-handed batter scored a century in the first innings but couldn't save her team from a defeat.

In the recently concluded Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, du Preez scored 161 runs in eight innings. Her best knock came against India in the final league-stage encounter in which she crafted an unbeaten half-century and knocked Mithali Raj and Co. out of the tournament.

"Mignon is a champion of women's cricket in South Africa and the world at large. A true example for any young girl who wants to take up the sport; that anything is possible through dedication, determination, and ever-lasting inquisitiveness to your craft while maintaining kindness and humility.

"Although CSA is saddened by her departure from the longer formats of the game after more than 150 caps and 3,000 runs, we will take solace from the legacy she leaves behind and await with pleasure to witness how she will continue contributing to the game she holds so dear to her heart." said Pholetsi Moseki, the Cricket South Africa Chief Executive Officer.