Heino Kuhn says farewell after stellar 18-year cricket career

North West Dragons batsman and SA cricket stalwart, Heino Kuhn, will strap on his batting kit and wear the maroon cap one final time tomorrow (Sunday, 19 February) in his last match as a professional cricketer after 18 highly successful years.

Kuhn (38) has announced his retirement with a final hurrah against Western Province in the CSA 4 Day Challenge match that will take place from 19-23 February at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom.

The current Dragons captain has spent the last two seasons at the North West Dragons and has guided the team into the new era of South African cricket where they currently compete in division 1. Kuhn’s experience and leadership has been important in a relatively young team, but now he feels that the time has come to give the new crop of young cricketers a chance at fulfilling their cricket dreams as well.

“I felt that it was the right time to retire. Ending my career on my new home field in Potch will be fitting. When I decided to join the Dragons in 2021, I felt that I could really help the franchise with my experience and make a difference from a leadership role. This is my 18^th year so I try to help everywhere I can,” states Kuhn.

Kuhn’s retirement was also due to an offer he received to be part of the Netherlands Cricket team’s coaching set-up, where he will serve as assistant coach. This will truly be a full circle moment for Kuhn, who will now be coaching his former team-mate at Northerns and the Titans, Roelof van der Merwe.

“Roelof and I have a long history. We played numerous matches together at the Titans. I remember once we decided to swop roles during a club cricket game. Originally, he was keeping and I bowled leg-spin. We then decided that I should take up the gloves as wicket-keeper and he bowled left-arm spin, not knowing that we would actually do that for the rest of our cricketing careers. It worked quite well for us!” he says.

Kuhn had memorable moments as a North West Dragons player in Potchefstroom, where he showed that age is just a number, putting in energetic efforts in the field and always playing cricket with a smile. He states that scoring a 119 in a 4 Day match against the Titans (his former team) was definitely a highlight.

“That match against the Titans was special. Every game for the Dragons had a certain highlight and I really enjoyed my time here. I really enjoyed working with Craig (Alexander) as head coach as well,” he adds.

He also states that Dragons players, Lesego Senokwane, Delano Potgieter and Senuran Muthusamy really impressed him in the past few seasons.

“Lesego has a really good technique and a good head on his shoulders. Delano has a lot of talent and showed it in the SA20. Sen Muthusamy has also showed that he is more than capable of making it far,” he emphasises.

Batting and keeping has always been at the forefront for this Dragons player, but he mentions that he also really appreciates the fielding aspect of cricket. Even in his late thirties he continues to set the example in the field.

“One spends a lot of time in the field in cricket and I’ve always felt that I could change the outcome of a game in the field, whether it be a run-out or a catch or saving runs. I see each match as an opportunity to do something special in the field. It also then motivates the whole team.”

Kuhn excelled at school cricket and played in the same team with Proteas, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, since his high school days at the Afrikaans Hoër Seunsskool (Affies). He is still friends with Faf and AB to this day.

“Affies was the start of my cricket career and I have always had the privilege of playing with excellent players since high school, all the way through club cricket system and the Titans. My favourite innings was also for the Titans where I scored my first double century (216) against the Dolphins in 2007. I had a bad run of form and I was promoted up the order. Everything clicked on that day in Pietermaritzburg and I proved to myself that I could perform at that level at an early stage of my career,” he adds.

Later in his career he also blossomed with his form domestically for the Titans, leading to a call-up to the SA A side that toured England. Continued top performances gave him his first test cap back in 2017 for the Proteas against England at the home of cricket, Lords.

“That was a special moment being able to make my debut against Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad. It is something that I will always remember,” says Kuhn, who represented SA in four test matches.

Kuhn has always exuded talent as an opening batsman and wicket-keeper and enjoyed 13 trophy-laden seasons at the Titans. He states that Supersport Park in Centurion is his favourite cricket ground after a lot of good memories on that pitch. He also made his T20 debut for South Africa in 2009 against England at Supersport Park, which was another highlight earlier on in his career.

His time in Kent, from 2018 to 2021 was also filled with special moments, where he spent four seasons and made many memories. It can be said that the Affies Old Boy, definitely left his mark for the Spitfires.

“I really wanted to test myself in England on the county circuit. I got the opportunity to play for Kent and I really liked the systems that were in place there and helping in creating a winning culture. I also got to spend time with a number of top players and it really felt like a family,” he mentions.

Family and relationships have also played a vital part in the longevity of Kuhn’s career. Firstly, he gives thanks and honour to the Lord for his talents, knowing that he could not be where he is without it.

“I’ve also had a superb support structure with my parents, brothers and sister always being there for me. My wife (Trudie) and daughter, Abigail (2) has always been there for me supporting me, wherever I go. They made me the man I am today,” adds Kuhn.

After nearly two decades of cricket as a professional, Kuhn ends off with a piece of wisdom for the next generation of cricketers – forever willing to give back to the game that has given him so much.

“It is an amazing job to play cricket for a living. You see different parts of the world. I believe the most important part is just to enjoy cricket and not to take it for granted. Play with a smile on your face.”

Heino Kuhn career stats: