Trisha Chetty retires from all forms of cricket

A day after Dane van Niekerk officially announced her retirement from international cricket, Cricket South Africa suffered another blow as veteran wicket-keeper batter Trisha Chetty decided to hang up her boots after struggling with injuries. 

The 34-year-old missed the last edition of the T20 World Cup at home due to a recurring back injury she has struggled with for the past five years, drawing curtains to her glittering career. 

#MomentumProteas wicket-keeper/batter Trisha Chetty has announced her retirement from professional cricket 🏏

Thank you for everything you have done Trish 🙏

Full statement 🔗 https://t.co/uSLMgh10RW#AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/QrTNB2VN8P

— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) March 17, 2023

She bids adieu to the game with 189 dismissals in the fifty-over format across 16 years of international cricket, the most by a player with 46 scalps more than her nearest competitor, Sarah Taylor. 

Chetty is also the second player to score a half-century and account for five dismissals in a women's ODI when she scored 53 and grabbed four catches and a stumping against Sri Lanka in 2013. 

"I can still remember the incredible feeling I had back in 2007 as I walked over the boundary rope, dressed in green and gold for the first time. 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 - each time I pulled on my South African kit I felt honoured to be doing so," she stated in a press release from the board. 

“But now, due to a recurring back injury for the past 5 years, the time has come for me to hang up my boots and let the gloves catch dust. I have tried everything to keep playing and have pushed as hard as I can but my body is signalling that it has no more to give and it is time to retire from all forms of cricket.

“I would also like to thank CSA, KZN Cricket Union, SACA, coaches, support staff and teammates throughout my career for the impact and influence you have had. You have all made the journey such an amazing one. 

“Cricket has taught me about life, being disciplined, what it means to be professional and how to be a team player. For this, I will always be grateful. And I choose to continue to be grateful for cricket as I retire and transition into the next chapter of my life," she concluded. 

Enoch Nkwe, Director of Cricket was in full praise for Chetty and her contribution to the game. “As one of the greatest wicket-keepers to ever play the game, I would like to express my sincere gratitude and huge congratulations for the outstanding career Trisha has enjoyed over the last 21 years as a player in South African cricket and on the international stage. 

“Chetty’s commitment and dedication to the sport and towards the rise of women’s cricket throughout the years has been exemplary, and her legacy will be revered for many years to come as the next generation aspire to follow in her footsteps.  

“I trust Trisha will experience another fruitful voyage in her future endeavours as her impact and presence, on and off the field, will live long amongst the cricket fraternity,” he concluded.