South Africa’s highest run-scorer in ODIs Mignon du Preez announced her retirement from the 50-over and Test formats on Thursday. The 32-year-old was in action in the recently concluded World Cup, where she scored 161 runs in eight games. 

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Announcing her decision du Preez, who has played two ODI World Cups for the Proteas, said that she wants to concentrate on the T20Is. 

“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. 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,” du Preez said in a statement issued by Cricket South Africa. 

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Du Preez further added that she believes that her stepping away will allow the next generation of South African cricketers to come up. 

“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.”

Mignon du Preez is the most capped South Africa Women’s player with 154 games under her belt. She made her debut in 2007 and has scored 3760 international runs. The 32-year-old captained the Proteas in 46 matches. 

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Du Preez has played one Test match. It was in 2014 against India where she scored a century in the debut innings. 

During the 2022 World Cup, she made her 150th appearance against the hosts New Zealand. 

“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,” Pholetsi Moseki, Cricket South Africa (CSA) Chief Executive Officer said. 

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“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,” the official added.