Proteas legend Du Preez retires from ODI cricket: 'I feel the time is right'

Proteas star Mignon du Preez has announced her retirement from One-Day International and Test cricket with immediate effect.

Du Preez, 32, will still be available for the SA women in T20 cricket.

"I've been wonderfully fortunate to play in four ICC ODI World Cups to date. These have been some of my most treasured memories in life. I would however love to prioritise time with my family and hopefully start a family of my own soon," Du Preez said in a statement on Thursday.

"I feel the time is right to announce my retirement from the longer format of the game and focus my attention on T20 cricket going forward. Thus, I decided to retire from ODI cricket at the completion of our recent World Cup in New Zealand."

Du Preez feels her decision comes at a time when the South African women's game is in a healthy state.

"The time is right to step away and allow the next generation of exciting cricketers to continue to grow this beautiful game of ours.

"I would like to take a moment to thank everyone at Cricket South Africa and the board for their continuous support during my ODI career. I am extremely grateful for the honour to have represented my country in 154 ODI games and also for the opportunity to have captained my country at the highest level.

"To our team sponsor Momentum and all our fans, thank you for your continuous support. Lastly, I would like to thank our management and my teammates for making my ODI journey a memorable one."

Du Preez made her international debut in 2007 as a teenager and went on to play 154 ODIs, including a ground-breaking reign as captain in 46 ODIs, where the team also transitioned into a fully contracted outfit.

The right-handed batter finishes her 50-over career as South Africa's leading run-scorer