Pieter Seelaar announces international retirement due to persistent back problems

Pieter Seelaar, 34, has announced his retirement from international cricket due to persistent back injuries. The Netherlands captain missed the second One-Day International (ODI) against England due to an injury with Scott Edwards taking over from him.

“Since 2020 my back problems got worse to such an extent that - much to my regret - I am no longer able to give everything I’ve got,” Seelaar said in a statement released by KNCB.

Seelaar took over from Peter Borren as the captain of the side in 2018. An accurate, economical bowler, Seelaar also worked on his batting and fitted into the middle-order as a result.

Seelaar's career ends after 57 ODIs and 77 T20Is for the Dutch, which saw him scalp 57 and 58 wickets respectively, since making his international debut in 2006. With the bat, he accumulated 938 runs across formats. 

He was part of the side that beat England in the T20 World Cup 2009, in which he picked up the wicket of England captain Paul Collingwood.  The all-rounder was also in the team when the Dutch defeated England again in 2014 in Bangladesh. His highest T20I score of 96* came against Scotland at Malahide in 2019.

“Pieter’s input has been priceless, first as a player and later also as captain. His management style is open, honest and transparent, which has always been appreciated by the players," High-Performance Manager Roland Lefebvre said.

"He can look back upon a wonderful international career that unfortunately comes to an untimely end. We wish him the very best for the future.”