South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has withdrawn from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 due to a family emergency. This massive blow has forced the St Lucia Kings to search for a replacement just days before the league’s commencement on Thursday.
Klaasen, known for his aggressive batting, especially against spin bowling, was a prized acquisition for the St Lucia Kings. Signed in June ahead of the CPL draft, Klaasen’s absence will be strongly felt by the team, which finished third on the points table last season and made it to the Eliminator.
Per ESPN Cricinfo, the Kings have brought in New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter Tim Seifert as the replacement player. While Seifert is a capable replacement with previous CPL experience, having won the title with Trinbago Knight Riders in 2020, he will have big shoes to fill.
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Sikandar Raza has also withdrawn due to injury
Klaasen’s recent form in T20 cricket has been nothing short of phenomenal. Since his brief stint with Guyana Amazon Warriors in 2022, where he scored 118 runs in five matches. Over the past two years, he has amassed 2293 runs in 82 T20s for both club and country, at an impressive strike rate of 169 including two centuries and 16 half-centuries.
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The CPL 2024 has seen other last-minute changes as well. Trinbago Knight Riders have brought in USA’s Andries Gous as a temporary replacement for Australia’s Tim David. Notably, the big-hitter will miss the first four matches.
While Barbados Royals have signed Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage and Shamarh Brooks to cover for David Miller and Keshav Maharaj, who will miss the first two matches due to Cricket South Africa awards commitments. In another setback for the league, Zimbabwe’s Sikandar Raza has also withdrawn due to injury. The St Kitts and Nevis Patriots are yet to announce a replacement for the all-rounder.