Australia Women vice-captain Rachael Haynes announced her retirement from international cricket on September 15. The Women’s Big Bash League 2022-23, wherein she represents the Sydney Thunder, will be her last competition as a professional cricketer.
Haynes represented Australia in six Tests, 77 ODIs and 84 T20Is in an international career that had begun on the England tour in 2009. She aggregated 383 runs at 383 in Tests and 850 runs at 26.56 in T20Is. She was at her best in the ODI version, scoring 2585 runs at 39.76 with 19 fifties and two hundreds.
Haynes captained her national side 14 times across formats, while filling in for Meg Lanning, most significantly during the 2017-18 Ashes when the latter was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
She was an integral part of Australia’s triumph at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year, where she finished as the second-highest run-getter, aggregating 497 at 62.12, just 12 behind Alyssa Healy. Haynes scored 68 in the final against England, adding 160 for the opening wicket with Healy, who scored a monumental 170 to guide Australia to 356/5, setting it up for a 71-run win.
She was also a part of Australia’s Gold medal win at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games 2022 in July-August.
“One of the great things about having a long career is watching those around you develop. I’m extremely proud of the way this team has brought players in and nurtured their development.
The ability to help players transition smoothly has been instrumental to our team’s success. To be a leader within this environment has been the greatest privilege of my career,”
Haynes said.
Nick Hockley, the Cricket Australia chief executive, stated:
“Rachael’s calm and assured leadership has played a key role in Australia becoming one of the most successful sporting teams in history. She will go down as a great of the game.”
