Australia batter Rachael Haynes has shocked the world by announcing her immediate retirement from international cricket.
An accomplished top-order batter who often came to the rescue when the Australian side was in distress, Haynes retires with more than 150 games for her country.
The 35-year-old finishes having won two ICC Women's World Cup titles for Australia in 2013 and 2022 and another two ICC Women’s T20 World Cups in 2018 and 2020.
She often saved her best for the big occasion, with the consistent left-hander contributing half-centuries for Australia in the final of both 50-over World Cup triumphs.
Haynes paid tribute to her team-mates for helping her throughout her career.
"Playing at this level isn’t possible without the support of many people," Haynes said.
"From clubs, states, coaches, family and friends, I’m so grateful to those who helped me along the way. In particular, I want to thank my parents Ian and Jenni, and partner Leah for their unwavering support.
"To all the team-mates across my career, you are the reason I’ve played as long as I have. You’ve inspired me to be better every day. I’ve learnt something from all of you, on and off the field. You’ve challenged me as a player, helped me grow as a person and most importantly, made cricket fun.
"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."
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