Published: Nov 05, 2015, 04:49 PM (IST)
Edited: Nov 05, 2015, 04:49 PM (IST)
England’s slow left-arm orthodox spinner Holly Colvin has announced her retirement from international cricket. 26-year-old Colvin debuted for England when she was just 15 making her the youngest women’s cricketer to represent England at that time. After England won Ashes 2013, she took an unfixed break from cricket but now she has called it a day. She will continue to remain connected with the sport; she will go to Dubai, UAE to take up the post of Women’s Cricket Senior Officer at International Cricket Council (ICC). She has played five Tests, 72 ODIs and 50 T20Is for her country. She has won Ashes four times and was instrumental in helping England win ICC Women’s World T20 six years back. READ: England women will not underestimate New Zealand, says Holly Colvin
Cricket World quoted Colvin saying, “The women’s game is barely recognisable from when I first started playing, and even in the last couple of years since I took a break from the sport in 2013, the speed of professionalism in international women’s cricket has been remarkable. There are so many amazing opportunities now in the women’s game – both as a player and off the field – and I’m really excited to be starting this new challenge with the ICC in Dubai. It is the perfect next step for me to progress my career at the heart of the international women’s game… Being involved with the England women’s team from such a young age has given me so much and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the experiences and people I have met along the way. I would like to wish all the England players and staff the very best for the future.” ICC Women’s World Cup 2013: Holly Colvin says it will be ‘gutting’ if West Indies beat Australia
Meanwhile Clare Connor ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket said, “To make your Test match debut as a 15-year-old in the first Test of an Ashes series takes a very special player. Holly had a hugely successful international career and she can be very proud of everything that she accomplished during her eight years in the England women’s team. To retire with four Ashes victories to your name and as a double-World Cup winner is a superb achievement… Her move to work with the ICC in Dubai represents another sign of how the women’s game continues to develop. It is brilliant that there are now so many more professional opportunities in the women’s game, and the sport will be richer for retaining her talent.”
