England offspinner Danielle Hazell has announced her retirement from international cricket at the age of 30. Hazell, who has represented England in three Tests, 53 ODIs and 85 T20Is, last featured in national colours in November last year in the T20 World Cup final defeat to Australia.
In a successful nine-year career, Hazell has won the World Cup twice and the Ashes three times. While she tasted success in the 50-over format, Hazell at one point was the world’s top ranked bowler in T20Is, a format she averaged 20.75 in.
“I feel 100 per cent happy with my decision to move on from playing international cricket and I’m really excited to find out what the next chapter holds in store for me,” Hazell said. “I owe a lot to the game and I would now love to give some of my time and energy back into the sport. There have been some amazing highlights – some really special moments – but the memory that stands out the most to me is the back-to-back Ashes victories across 2013 and 2014.
“Playing international cricket for nine years can have an effect on you both mentally and physically and my body is telling me that it’s time to move on. I’ll miss the girls, I’ll miss pulling on the England shirt and I’ll miss being in the arena but the timing is right for me.”
Hazell, who has also led England on a couple of occasions, received praise from head coach Mark Robinson for her contributions on and off the field. “Dani can justifiably be really proud of her international career,” Robinson noted. “She has been one of the best off-spinners in the world but it won’t only be her cricketing ability that we’ll miss.
“We’ll miss her leadership qualities and her character. She has mentored the likes of Sophie Ecclestone on and off the pitch, been a good ally for Heather and been a more than capable deputy when needed. We all wish her all the best as she enters the next chapter of her life.”
© Cricbuzz
