FAREWELL, RTD
Ryan ten Doeschate will retire from professional cricket at the end of 2021 © Getty
Netherlands and Essex all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate will retire from professional cricket at the end of 2021, the County confirmed. Netherlands have picked the 41-year-old for the upcoming T20 World Cup in UAE and Oman.
Ten Doeschate made his international debut in 2006, but began his unbreakable association with Essex way back in 2003, after impressing Graham Gooch during a pre-season fixture in South Africa. In the 19 seasons at the club, Ten Doeschate has made 554 appearances across formats, amassing 17,046 runs and picking 348 wickets.
“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 said in his statement following the decision.
Ten Doeschate won the limited-overs tournament (totesport League) in two back-to-back years in 2005 and 2006 – a year in which he smashed 259 for Netherlands against Canada, his highest first-class score.
In 2008, Ten Doeschate was named the ICC Associate Player of the Year for the first time, before bagging the award again in 2010 and 2011. He also tasted success in the IPL, winning two titles with the Kolkata Knight Riders in 2012 and 2014.
Ten Doeschate’s bond with Essex only got stronger as he was named club captain in 2016 when they forced their way back to the top-tier of the domestic competition by winning the second division title. They followed that up by ending a 25-year wait to win the County Championship title – while going unbeaten through the season. Under the veteran, Essex pulled off this achievement once again two years later in a remarkable campaign.
Though he gave up captaincy in 2019, Ten Doeschate continued to play a pivotal role in taking Essex forward and was key to them winning the inaugural 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,” Ten Doeschate said.
© Cricbuzz