Australia's Farrel quits ODIs ahead of women's World Cup

Photo: AFP

Sydney: Ahead of the women's cricket World Cup in June, Australia fast bowler Rene Farrell on Thursday announced her retirement from One-day Internationals (ODI).

Farrell, who made her international debut in 2007, played 44 ODIs, taking 42 wickets at an average of 30.78. She has also played three Tests and 54 T20Is.

The 30-year-old played in Australia's 2009 World Cup campaign, where they finished fourth, while she has played in the Southern Stars' 2010 and 2014 World T20 triumphs. 

"With preparations about to begin ahead of this year's World Cup, the time felt right for me to retire from one-day cricket for Australia," Farrell said in a Cricket Australia (CA) statement.

"I've had mixed fortunes in this format over the last few years and I no longer feel I can give what is required to compete at this level."

"It was an honour to be part of the ICC Women's Championship and to be part of the inaugural winning side is something I regard as very special in my ODI career," she added.

Farrell, however made herself available for Test and Twenty20 Internationals besides playing all formats for her native NSW Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League and the Sydney Thunder in the Women's Big Bash League.

"I still have the desire to represent Australia in the T20 and Test arenas and look forward to spending more time with the NSW Breakers and taking on more of a mentoring role to help our up and coming players progress to the next level."

"I'd like to wish all teams the very best of luck for the World Cup and I know that that those picked to represent Australia will do us proud," she added.