‘This might be my last ICC tournament,’ says Rassie van der Dussen

Proteas batter Rassie van der Dussen said that the ICC Champions Trophy may be the last time he plays in a big tournament. 

The 36-year-old also confirmed that he will not return to test cricket, as he plans to play out his remaining years with the white ball. 

The top order batter played 18 test matches for the Proteas and 70 ODI games. 

The thought of younger players, brimming with talent, on the Proteas bench and back home are not a threat to van der Dussen but rather a motivating factor.
In two years time, if he can still keep up with the young guns, van der Dussen said he’ll accept the outcome and his place in the team. 

“I think it's definitely a possibility that this is my last ICC tournament. I’m not saying that with any preconceived ideas that I’ll call time on it or management will call time on my career," said Van der Dussen.

"I think it's such a great thing that there’s so many young players coming through. Guys are really playing well. A guy like Tristan Stubbs is sitting on the side lines, Tony (de Zorzi).

"Even if you go into the domestic structure, Matthew Breetzke came in and made that 150. You can even go further back, Lhuan-dre Pretorious just made a hundred against Western Province. Ryan (Rickelton) is only actually starting out now.

“So there’s so many good players and I’m not blind to the possibility that if I don’t perform, someone will be there to take my place.

"I certainly don't expect any preferential treatment because in a heaithy environment, guys organically push each other. And that pushes everyone to be better. I think that’s where we find ourselves now,” van der Dussen said. 

The right arm spinner made his ODI debut against Pakistan in 2019, and in sports terms, could have been considered a ‘late bloomer’.

Regardless, van der Dussen showed why he was chosen in the first place, stamping his name as a power hitter to have on your roster. 

In 2022, he joined the Rajasthan Royals and played in India’s cultural movement known as the IPL. He made his T20 debut for the Proteas in 2018. 

So far in the tournament, he's batted once against Afghanistan and scored 52 of 46 balls. 

Unless in exceptional circumstances like that of Aaron Rodgers, the American football quarterback, the mid 30’s is when most athletes start to think about how they want to end their career. 

Van der Dussen is no different, and said he would like to give his undevided attention to the short format. 

“My national contract is coming up (end) at the end of April, into May and I suppose I’ll have discussions with Rob and Enoch and see where they see me and what my role is going forward.

"I feel like I’m playing well. Physically, I am there and putting a lot of time into my body still. So, it can go either way. If I’m still good enough in two years, I’d like to think that I’m in the mix, if not and I can’t keep up with the youngsters then that’s also fine. 

“In terms of the red ball. I'm not officially retired. After my last Test in Brisbane, that two day Test, I kind of took a step back. For the last phase in my career, I want to improve on my white ball game.

"I think that has paid dividends. I’ve played in a few leagues and done well. Even in leagues like T10 have taken my game forward but I think that’s why I’m still hungry now. 

“To be honest, I can’t see myself playing red ball cricket anymore. I did have a county offer thrown my way which I declined. So going into the last few years of my career, I can’t see myself playing anymore red ball cricket,” van der Dussen said.