• Heinrich Klaasen has pulled himself out of CPL 2024.

  • Klaasen's absence is a significant blow for the Saint Lucia Kings.

Heinrich Klaasen withdraws from CPL 2024 due to family emergency, replacement announced
Heinrich Klaasen withdraws from CPL 2024 due to family emergency (PC: X)

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South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen has withdrawn from the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 due to a family emergency, just a day before the start of the tournament.

Heinrich Klaasen’s withdrawal: A big blow to Saint Lucia Kings

Klaasen’s absence is a significant blow for the Saint Lucia Kings (SLK), as he has been in exceptional form in T20 cricket over the last two years. The 33-year-old has amassed 2,293 runs in 82 matches at a stunning strike rate of 169, including two centuries and 16 half-centuries.

In his CPL career, Klaasen last played for the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) in 2022, scoring 118 runs in five games at a strike rate of 137. His ability to change the course of a match with his aggressive batting made him a valuable asset for the franchise.

Klaasen’s replacement

Klaasen, signed up by the Kings in June ahead of the draft, has been replaced by New Zealand’s Tim Seifert, who last played in the CPL for the Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) in 2020.

Seifert is known for his explosive batting at the top of the order. The 29-year-old has played 35 T20Is for New Zealand, scoring 598 runs at a strike rate of 146.67.

The Saint Lucia Kings will be hoping that Seifert can replicate his past CPL performances and provide them with the firepower they will miss in Klaasen’s absence. The Kings are set to face the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in their opening match on September 1 at Warner Park in Basseterre.

Also READ: Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2024 – Complete squads of all 6 teams after players’ draft

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean all-rounder Sikandar Raza will also miss the entire season of the CPL 2024 due to an injury. The St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots have not yet announced a replacement player.

“Gutted to be missing out on @CPL because of an injury. Wishing my brothers at St. Kitts and Nevis very best of luck for the tournament. Time to go home now,” Raza confirmed via X.

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