Netherlands' Ryan ten Doeschate to retire from professional cricket after 2021 season

Veteran Netherlands’ cricketer Ryan ten Doeschate has put forth his decision of quitting professional cricket by the end of the 2021 season. Essex, for whom he plays in the English domestic circuit, confirmed the news. The Cape Province-born all-rounder has been plying his trade for the county since 2003 after he caught the eyes of former England batter Graham Gooch.

Ten Doeschate, at the age of 41, has been picked to play for Netherlands in the 2021 T20 World Cup to be played in Oman and United Arab Emirates. Having played 33 ODIs in his career since 2006, the veteran holds the record for the highest average, 67, in the format. He also scored two centuries for Netherlands against England and Ireland in the 2011 edition of the World Cup.

Ryan ten Doeschate expresses gratitude to Essex  

“From the bottom of my heart I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved with Essex during my time at the Club. It’s been the greatest professional experience to grow in this environment, to watch the organisation and the individuals within it evolve and become something that I am extremely proud to have been a part of,” Ten Doeschate was quoted as saying, Cricbuzz reported.

In 2016, Ten Doeschate was appointed as Essex’s skipper and he led the team to victory in the second division. Thereafter, he captained them to glory in the County Championship, ending their 25-year-long wait.

The all-rounder relinquished captaincy in 2019, but has continued to weave magic for Essex across formats. He also played an important role in Essex winning the Bob Willis Trophy in 2020.

“Coming from Cape Town to be given a chance to pursue my dream seems a million moons ago. We’ve shared some remarkable times but for me, the biggest achievement has been making a home away from home. I have a collection of memories from Chelmsford to keep me happy long into retirement,” he added.

Ten Doeschate went on to score over 2000 runs for Netherlands from 55 matches with five centuries and 12 half-centuries. He also picked up 68 wickets with three four-wicket hauls. At the professional level, he racked up over 15,000 runs and notched 517 wickets in his career.