Netherlands batter Sybrand Engelbrecht has retired from international cricket following the team’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, which concluded with a loss to Sri Lanka in their group stage finale on June 16. The 35-year-old managed only 11 runs as the Netherlands were bowled out for 118, chasing Sri Lanka’s 201, resulting in an 83-run defeat.
Engelbrecht initially retired from all forms of cricket in 2016 and relocated to the Netherlands in 2021. After playing recreational cricket there, the South African-born cricketer was selected for the national team in 2023.
Known for his exceptional fielding and innovative batting, the right-hander was pivotal in the Netherlands’ successful 2023 ODI World Cup campaign. Engelbrecht amassed 300 runs at an average of 37.50 and a strike rate of 66.66, including two half-centuries in eight matches.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup, Engelbrecht managed to get starts in all four matches but failed to turn them into significant scores. He ended the tournament with 98 runs, averaging 24.50 with a strike rate of 106.52.
Throughout his international career, which includes 12 ODIs and 12 T20Is, he accumulated a total of 665 runs, featuring three half-centuries.
Sybrand Engelbrecht delivered a remarkable fielding performance in his final game against Sri Lanka
Sybrand Engelbrecht concluded his international cricket career with another trademark fielding highlight against Sri Lanka in the Netherlands’ final group match of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The highlight occurred on the second ball of the 17th over when Angelo Matthews hit a full toss toward the deep mid-wicket boundary. Engelbrecht made a one-handed catch while moving backwards and managed to keep the ball in play just before crossing the boundary.
After the game, he humbly downplayed his remarkable fielding effort, saying as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo:
“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.”
In his brief international career, Engelbrecht established himself as one of the world’s top fielders, known for his ability to make astonishing catches and saves.
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