Lisa Sthalekar Announces Retirement Following World Cup Triumph

Lisa Sthalekar Announces Retirement Following World Cup Triumph

Sthalekar was also part of Australia's successful side at the ICC Women's T20 last year.

©REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte. Picture Supplied by Action Images

Australia all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar has announced her retirement from international cricket at the age of 33 following Australia Women’s success at the ICC Women’s World Cup.

“To finish my international career by playing in a successful ICC Women’s World Cup in the country of my birth is quite special for me,” Sthalekar said.

“I feel that this is the right time for me to retire and I’ve been fortunate to be able to represent Australia for as long as I have and to have been a part of some very successful teams.

“Women’s cricket has changed a lot during my time in the game and it’s been an honour to witness this evolution first hand. We have seen at this year’s World Cup that the standard of women’s cricket across the world has grown immensely in the last few years alone.

“I would like to continue my involvement in all aspects of the game following my retirement. Cricket has given me a great deal during my life and I want to be able to give something back, whether it be through coaching, mentoring or other avenues. I am looking forward to the next phase of my life and the opportunity to help women’s cricket continue to develop.”

National Chair of Selectors Julie Savage said: “Lisa has been a tremendous player for Australia for a number of years and it’s fantastic to see her go out at the top of her game with a couple of World Cups under her belt this season. We’ve seen some tremendous performances that have contributed massively to us achieving those victories in the World Cups.

“She’s also, through her coaching, contributed to the development of the younger players that are now coming through in our group so, not only is she contributing on the field, but she’s also contributing off the field to the success of Australian Cricket. Lisa will certainly be missed but through her coaching and development work she’s actually helping to fill the void that her retirement will leave. I’d like to congratulate her on behalf of the National Selection Panel on a tremendous career and I wish her all the best for her future.”

Since making her international debut in 2001, Sthalekar has been part of several Australian tournament-winning sides. Besides this year’s event in India, she was a member of the squad during the 2005 success, as well as the 2010 and 2012 World T20s.

She was the first woman in the game’s history to achieve the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in One-Day Internationals and was named the ICC’s Women’s Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2008.

© Cricket World 2013