Picture Credit: Twitter
Katherine Sciver-Brunt, one of the most integral players of England women’s cricket team for the better part of 20 years, has announced retirement from international cricket earlier today. The 37-year-old, who also retired from Test cricket last year, picked up 335 wickets for England in 267 matches across all formats, along with scoring 1864 runs. She won two Cricket World Cups and one T20 World Cup in her illustrious career.
In a statement released to the media, Katherine Sciver-Brunt talked about her decision to call it time on her international career and 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,” she added.
The former World Cup winner acknowledged cricket as a sport that gave her a purpose and helped her find a partner in Natalie Sciver-Brunt. She remarked, “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 trophy’s 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 Nat.”
Katherine Sciver-Brunt also thanked the England cricket fraternity for all the great moments they shared during her career and said, “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. 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.”
“The biggest thanks I have though goes to my family, they are my biggest fans and greatest support without which I wouldn’t have made this journey at all,” she concluded.
Furthermore, Katherine Sciver-Brunt will continue to play in The Hundred, after announcing her retirement from regional cricket earlier.
