England women's cricket team's legendary bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt announced her retirement from international cricket on Friday (May 5) after a superb 19-year career in which she became the most successful women's bowler for England in limited overs cricket. She had already stepped away from regional cricket but will continue to play in The Hundred. Katherine retired from Test cricket last year and also quit playing ODIs.
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In a career spanning 19 years, Brunt, who made her debut in 2004, represented England in 14 Tests, 141 ODIs and 112 T20Is, taking a total of 335 wickets in 267 appearances for her national team. The 37-year-old all-rounder is a three-time World Cup winner (2 ODIs and 1 T20Is) and a three-time Ashes winner as well. She played some impressive innings with the bat in the lower order, scoring two half-centuries in ODIs and one in Tests.
"Well here I am, 19 years later, at the end of my international journey," Katherine Sciver-Brunt said. "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 last played for England women's cricket team in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup against South Africa, earlier this year. She was briefly out of the ODI team after playing her last 50-over international match in July last year.
"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," Sciver-Brunt added.
"It has been a huge honour representing England for so long and I'd like to thank all of the England cricket family past and present for making my time a special one."