17 and out | Rob Frylinck calls time on cricket career

Following a career that spanned almost two decades in professional cricket, Dolphins stalwart Rob Frylinck has retired from all forms of cricket following another successful season with the Durban side.

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Rob Frylinck began his professional career in 2004 with KZN and also spent time with the Lions in Johannesburg before returning to KwaZulu-Natal with the Dolphins where he helped the side to a RAM Slam title in 2013/14 and then was influential as the Dolphins won the Momentum One-Day Cup three times in the past four seasons.

The 36-year-old’s career peaked with his selection for the Proteas T20 side for a series against Bangladesh in 2017 where he made his international debut.

He ended up playing three T20 internationals for South Africa taking five wickets at an economy rate of just over six runs an over.

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While he thrived in the white ball formats, Rob Frylinck provided crucial spells of bowling in both red ball and limited overs cricket for the Dolphins.

Frylinck’s contribution to KZN Cricket was recognised at the end of the 2016/17 season when he was awarded the Dolphins Player of the Season award.

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“No sportsman wants that time to come in their careers, but mine has snuck up on me,” Frylinck said.

“I am officially retiring from a game that has given me seventeen years as a professional, as well as a lifetime of memories and experiences.

“I have been fortunate enough to play around the world in various amazing teams. It’s been an honour and a privilege to represent these teams over the years.”

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Frylinck will leave a side that finished this past season with two trophies and a third final to show for it. His experience has been an important part of the success that the team has enjoyed over the past few seasons.

“To my team-mates at the Dolphins, I have had the pleasure of playing with some of you for a very long time as well as watch some of the younger guys grow into fine cricketers.

“We have become a family and you guys hold a special place in my heart,” he added.

Following 17 years of service to the game in South Africa and abroad, Frylinck is hoping that he can now pass on the knowledge that he has accumulated over almost two decades as a professional.

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“It is a game that has given me so much over time and if I can return the favour and pass on what I have learnt then that is what I plan on doing.

“I’m going to miss everything about this wonderful game,” he mentioned.

CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom was full of praise for the impact that Frylinck has had both on and off the field.

“Rob is truly a KZN player through and through,” Strydom said.

“Being schooled at Westville Boys’ High and spending the vast majority of his professional career here he has been hugely influential and given so much to KZN Cricket.

“Rob’s ability to change a game with either the bat or ball made him an important cog in the Hollywoodbets Dolphins side and he put in match-winning performances right to the end.

“He was a player that was always willing to give his time to younger players and we hope that he continues this in his retirement.

“From everyone at KZN Cricket we wish Rob and his family all the very best for the next stage of their lives.”