Image Credit: Mufaddal Vohra / X

 Pretoria / Global cricket – In a candid and far-reaching interview following his retirement from international cricket, South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen has issued a bold critique of the modern cricket calendar. The explosive white-ball specialist, who stepped away from international cricket on June 2, 2025, at the age of 33, believes it’s time to "take bilateral ODIs away from international cricket."

A Career Defined by Power and Precision

Klaasen, who debuted in ODIs and T20Is in February 2018, quickly established himself as one of the game's most destructive batters. Over 60 ODIs, he amassed 2,141 runs at an impressive average of 43.69, including four centuries and 11 fifties. In T20 internationals, he struck exactly 1,000 runs in 58 matches at a strike rate of 141.84. His explosive 174 against Australia in 2023 and gentleman’s century for Durban's Super Giants in the SA20 cemented his reputation.

Turning Moonlighting into a Dilemma

In the interview, Klaasen revealed his frustration with the overcrowded schedule for international players. He said, “I think the only change... is probably take [bilateral] one-day cricket away from international cricket. Make it more Test matches... Play more T20 cricket, because that’s what the people want to see. You can keep your one-day World Cups...”

He argues that maintaining regular bilateral ODI series blurs the calendar’s focus, leaving players overworked and distracted. He suggests national boards and the ICC should prioritize “Test matches for nations with fewer fixtures” and “lean into T20 formats”—phasing out bilateral ODIs except as World Cup warm-up matches.

Burnout Risk and Financial Strains

Highlighting the financial pressures on players—especially from cricket boards with fewer resources—Klaasen said that inadequately compensated athletes are frequently lured away by lucrative franchise leagues. "If they don’t take care of the international players, they will go out and play leagues to make some extra cash,” he warned. Klaasen contrasted this with countries like Australia and England, whose well-funded systems retain talent in the national setup.

According to him, the current system is unsustainable: all-format players face an impossible balancing act, leading to burnout and prematurely truncated international careers. Boards must re-evaluate payment structures and workloads to prevent a talent drain into franchise cricket.

Looking Back—and Forward

A 33-year-old and key figure in major tournaments, including the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Klaasen’s retirement shocked the cricketing world. He cited family commitments and dissatisfaction with chronic schedule congestion as his core reasons.

Now setting his sights on global franchise leagues such as the IPL, MLC, SA20, and The Hundred, Klaasen intends to maintain his fierce competitive edge away from international duties.

Implications for the Cricketing World

  • Calendar Pressure: Klaasen’s call adds momentum to growing demands from players for a streamlined international calendar.
  • ICC’s Role: A shift away from bilateral ODIs could enable a more balanced schedule, but would require collective agreement among cricket boards.
  • Player Welfare: Klaasen’s stance amplifies the debate around workload management, compensation, and sustaining talent in national teams.

As cricket institutions push toward reforms—including flexible scheduling and greater player investment—Klaasen’s departure and critique may well prove a pivotal moment in shaping the sport's future.