The Netherlands have lost a valuable asset to their cricket team as Sybrand Engelbrecht announced his retirement from international cricket. The 35-year-old South Africa-born cricketer played 12 ODIs and 12 T20Is for the Netherlands, making a standout performance in his final match that went viral on social media.
Engelbrecht’s athleticism has always been a key feature of his play, dating back to his Under-19 World Cup days in 2008 when he took a stunning catch playing for South Africa against Papua New Guinea. After retiring from all forms of cricket in 2016 to focus on his career in financial and project management, Engelbrecht made a comeback in 2021 playing recreational cricket in the Netherlands. His talent was quickly recognized, leading to his selection in the national squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
Engelbrecht played eight ODIs and four T20Is at World Cup events during his international career, demonstrating his ability to perform on the biggest stage. He finishes his career with an impressive average of 35.00 runs per game and 31.11 runs per game respectively in ODIs and T20I format. His contributions to the team were particularly notable during the T20 World Cup 2024, where he emerged as the highest run-scorer for the Netherlands.
While Engelbrecht may no longer be playing internationally, he will always be remembered as a skilled cricketer and exceptional fielder by fans and followers of the sport.