Netherlands star Sybrand Engelbrecht announces retirement from international cricket
Netherlands batter Sybrand Engelbrecht has announced his retirement from international cricket as the team's 2024 T20 World Cup campaign ended with the defeat to Sri Lanka in their group stage finale on June 16. The 35-year-old scored only 11 as the Netherlands were bowled out for 118 in response to Sri Lanka's 201 to lose by 83 runs.
Engelbrecht had initially retired from all forms of cricket in 2016 and moved to the Netherlands in 2021. However, after playing recreational cricket there, the South African-born cricketer was selected for the national side in 2023.
Renowned for his incredible fielding and innovative batting, the right-handed batter played an integral role in the Netherlands' impressive 2023 ODI World Cup run. Engelbrecht finished with 300 runs at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 66.66 with two half-centuries in eight outings.
Coming to the ongoing T20 World Cup, he got off to starts in all four matches but could not convert them into bigger scores. Engelbrecht finished with 98 runs at an average of 24.50 and a strike rate of 106.52.
Overall, his international career of 12 ODIs and as many T20Is saw him amass a combined 665 runs with three half-centuries.
Sybrand Engelbrecht pulled off a sensational fielding effort in his farewell game against Sri Lanka
Sybrand Engelbrecht signed off in international cricket with another signature fielding moment against Sri Lanka in the Netherlands' final group game of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The moment came in the second ball of the 17th over when Angelo Matthews heaved a full toss down to the deep mid-wicket boundary. However, Engelbrecht took a one-handed grab going backward before keeping the ball in play as he was going over the ropes.
Here is a video of his magical fielding display:
Following the game, he modestly played down his heroic fielding effort by saying as quoted by ESPNCricinfo:
"Initially, when he hit it, I kind of moved in. I knew there was a wind, but I didn't think he hit it that well. So I had to kind of back-track a little and kind of stuck the hand out. I suppose it's a little bit lucky. It's something that I suppose I pride myself on and as a unit, I think we are up there with the best teams in the world when it comes to fielding."
During his brief international career, Engelbrecht became one of the best fielders in the world with the ability to pull off miraculous catches and saves.