Alex Hartley is to retire from professional cricket.
Hartley made 32 England appearances and was a World Cup winner in 2017
All the best, Alex! pic.twitter.com/XyGYmCHSis
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 22, 2023
England World Cup winner Hartley retires from skilled cricket
Alex Hartley, the left-arm spinner who received the 2017 ODI World Cup with England, has introduced that she is going to retire from skilled cricket on the finish of the continued version of the Hundred.
Hartley, 29, took a break from the sport earlier this 12 months after revealing she was “struggling mentally” whereas taking part in for Thunder in regional cricket, having misplaced confidence in her bowling and enthusiasm for the game.
She returned within the Hundred and has made three appearances for Welsh Fire, taking two wickets. Fire’s revival this 12 months implies that they’re already assured a spot within the knockout levels. If chosen, Hartley’s final recreation will come both in Saturday’s eliminator at The Oval, or Sunday’s remaining at Lord’s.
“I’m really, really excited. I’m going to really miss it. I’m going to be really sad – but it’s right, isn’t it? I’ve been thinking about it for ages”
Alex Hartley
Hartley revealed her resolution to stop the skilled recreation on No Balls, the BBC podcast she co-hosts with Kate Cross, and has already moved right into a profitable profession as a pundit and broadcaster. She had initially deliberate to play a farewell recreation for Thunder, however determined the timing was proper.
“I’m hanging my boots up – I am officially retiring from cricket,” Hartley stated. “I’ve absolutely loved it at Welsh Fire, every single second of it. The staff have been really supportive, they’ve been great over the last month. And I don’t want to play 50-over cricket!
“I’m actually, actually excited. I’m going to essentially miss it. I’m going to be actually unhappy – nevertheless it’s proper, is not it? I’ve been serious about it for ages.”
Hartley played 28 ODIs and four T20Is for England between 2016 and 2019, with the 2017 World Cup win the obvious highlight of her international career. She played eight of England’s nine games at the tournament and was their second-highest wicket-taker with ten, including the vital wicket of Harmanpreet Kaur within the remaining at Lord’s.
Sophie Ecclestone’s emergence as the country’s leading left-arm spinner cost Hartley her place, and she lost her central contract in late 2019. She continued to represent Thunder in regional cricket and Manchester Originals in the first season of the Hundred, before joining Fire in 2022.
Fire play their final group game against Northern Superchargers on Tuesday afternoon. If they win and Southern Brave lose to Manchester Originals on Wednesday, Fire will qualify automatically for Sunday’s final; otherwise, they will play in Saturday’s eliminator.