England Women’s off-spinner Dani Hazell has retired from international cricket with immediate effect.
The 30-year-old, who won three Ashes series and a World Cup, steps away from the game having made 14 international appearances.
She made her debut in 2009 and has taken 146 international scalps across all forms, and has also captained her country on two occasions.
“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.
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Danielle Hazell bowls during a T20I between England Women and New Zealand Women[/caption]
“I owe a lot to the game and I would now love to give some of my time and energy back into the sport. 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.”
England coach Mark Robinson said: “Dani can justifiably be really proud of her international career. 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.
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Fran Wilson, Danielle Hazell and Lauren Winfield celebrate winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017[/caption]
“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 [Knight] 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.”
Managing Director of Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said: “On behalf of ECB and England women’s cricket, I’d like to thank Dani for her years of commitment and service to the England women’s team.
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“Dani made her international debut in 2009 as an “amateur” before becoming one of our first 14 female players to be awarded an England Central Contract in 2014. She has remained a consistent performer for us for nearly a decade, during which time she was ranked the world’s best T20I bowler in the ICC rankings.”
