Trisha Chetty, a wicketkeeper for South Africa, has ended her 21-year domestic and 16-year international career in cricket. Chetty has decided to retire due to a chronic back problem that also prevented her from attending the domestic T20 World Cup last month.
She concludes with a record 182 gloved dismissals in women’s ODIs, 46 more than Sarah Taylor, who is ranked second on the list.
The 34-year-old Trisha Chetty final ODI match for South Africa was against England in July 2022. It was also improbable that Trisha Chetty would have won a national contract, which is scheduled to be released later this month, considering he had not played for his country in about eight months.
She made her debut for her country in 2007 and belonged to the generation of athletes that flourished as South Africa‘s women’s cricket moved from amateur to professional status. She completes her career with 134 ODI, 82 T20I, and two Test appearances. Trisha Chetty and Dane van Niekerk, who recently announced their retirements from all competitions except international competitions, join Mignon du Preez and Lizelle Lee as the first generation of South African professional women’s athletes to do so.
Trisha Chetty made her first impression in her early adolescence starting in 2002 after a time with the Dolphins and Kwa-Zulu Natal Cricket Union. When she was 18 years old, she replaced Daleen Terblanche as the wicketkeeper-batter for the national team. She scored 20 half-centuries in international matches, with her highest score being in an ODI against Ireland in 2016 of 95.
Trisha Chetty said in a CSA statement, “I can still recall the great sensation I experienced back in 2007 as I crossed over the boundary rope, clad in green and gold for the first time. “Over the past 16 years, it has been an honor to play for the Proteas and represent my nation, and that feeling has never faded. Each time I put on my South African jersey, I felt privileged to be doing so.
But now since I’ve had a back problem for the past five years, it’s time for me to put my boots away and let the gloves gather dust. I’ve done everything I can to stay in the game and have worked as hard as I can, but my body is telling me it’s time to stop playing cricket altogether.
“That was not an easy choice for me to make, and even now, I struggle to accept the end of my professional career. I have no regrets about my decision to pursue a career in cricket, though, and I do it with a grateful heart.
“I am so appreciative to my parents, family, and friends for supporting me through all of the highs and lows, wins and losses. I never would have been able to travel if not for my support network.
“Cricket has given me life lessons, like discipline, professionalism, and how to work well with others. I will always be grateful for this. Even as I leave cricket behind and enter the next phase of my life, I’ve decided to keep being thankful for it. The fans deserve special recognition for their unwavering support throughout the years. Never will I forget it.
Trisha Chetty represented South Africa in all but one of the T20 World Cups from 2009 to 2020 and four ODI World Cups (2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022). At the World Cup competitions in both formats, she made it to four semifinals.
Along with having the second-most catches in T20Is behind Alyssa Healy, she also holds the wicketkeeping records for the most dismissals (23) in an ODI series, the most catches and stumpings (joint record) in ODIs, the most half-centuries scored and dismissals claimed in an ODI, and the most dismissals (23) in an ODI series.
Trisha Chetty was praised as “one of the greatest wicketkeepers to ever play the game” by CSA director of cricket Enoch Nkwe.
The next generation will aspire to carry on Chetty’s legacy for many years to come, he predicted. “Chetty’s passion and dedication to the sport and towards the advancement of women’s cricket throughout the years has been exemplary,” he said. “I have faith that Trisha will have success in her future endeavors since she left a lasting impression on the cricket community both on and off the field.
One day after van Niekerk announced her own resignation, Chetty’s news of retirement was announced. Chetty, however, is not anticipated to continue participating in franchise tournaments, unlike van Niekerk.
India
