Katherine Sciver-Brunt has announced retirement from international cricket after a career spanned over 19 years. She made debut for English women in 2004 and played her last international match in February. She has been part of three World Cup winning teams in her career.
Katherine featured in 267 international matches with the last being the T20 World Cup semi-final at Newlands in February. In all, she claimed a total of 335 international wickets for England, comprising 170 in ODIs and 114 in T20Is, both are records for England, and she also has scalped 51 Test wickets in 14 matches, the most by any bowler this century.
Sciver-Brunt said: “Well here I am, 19 years later, at the end of my international journey. I thought I’d never be able to reach this decision but I have and it’s been the hardest one of my life. I never had any dreams or aspirations to do what I’ve done, I only ever wished to make my family proud of me. And what I’ve achieved has gone way beyond that.” Sciver-Brunt had already announced her retirement from regional cricket, but she will continue to play in the Hundred.
She added, “I have so much to be thankful for, cricket has given me a purpose, a sense of belonging, security, many golden memories and best friends that will last a lifetime. Of the trophies and titles I could have wished to achieve, I have reached them all, but my greatest achievement is the happiness that I have found in [wife] Nat.” She continued, “It has been a huge honour representing England for so long and I’d like to thank all of the England cricket team family past and present for making my time a special one. The supporters – you are awesome, without you we wouldn’t be able to do what it is that we love and the atmosphere you guys create is irreplaceable.”
Clare Connor, the ECB’s deputy CEO and England Women’s Managing Director said, “Katherine has done so much for the game of cricket and for women’s cricket in particular. She has been an unbelievable role-model, giving us everything she has for nearly 20 years.” Connor continued, “When cricketers retire, we rightly celebrate their skill, their runs and wickets, their records and accolades. But what Katherine has given the game of cricket extends far beyond those things. Her most powerful impact has been through her human qualities – through her passion to take our sport forward, her care for her teammates, her desire to always come back better and stronger despite significant injury setbacks.”
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
