CricketRachel Haynes Bid Goodbye To Cricket After 13 Years Long Career
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Australian team player Rachel Haynes, who dominated women’s cricket for a generation, on Thursday said goodbye to her 13-year international career.

The 35-year-old top-order batsman also retired from state cricket but said she would play one more season for Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League.

The lefthander has amassed 3,818 runs in over 150 international matches across all three formats since his debut in 2009 and won six global titles with Australia.

As vice-captain since 2018, Haynes has helped Australia to two T20 World Cup victories and 50-over World Cup victories this year and a gold medal at the inaugural Commonwealth Games.

“Rachel’s calm and confident leadership has been instrumental in helping Australia become one of the most successful sports teams in history,” Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement.

“She will be known as a great of the sport.”

With skipper Meg Lanning on an indefinite leave of absence from Australia, the retirement of Rachel Haynes marks the beginning of the end of Australia’s golden generation of women’s cricketers.

Haynes believes the future of Australian women’s cricket is in safe hands.

“One of the great things about a long career is watching the people around you grow,” he said.

“I am extremely proud of the way this team has brought players in and nurtured their development. The ability to help change players smoothly has been instrumental in our team’s success.

The left-arm all-rounder, who turns 36 in December, played 167 matches for Australia – six Tests, 77 ODIs and 84 T20Is – in an international career that began at Lord’s in 2009.

With two Commonwealth Games gold medals in ODIs and three T20 World Cup victories, Rachel Haynes said being a leader in the Australian team “has been the greatest privilege of my career.

“It is not possible to play at this level without the support of many people. From clubs, states, coaches, family and friends, I am very grateful to the people who helped me along the way. In particular, I thank my parents I want to thank Ian and Jenny, and partner Leah for their unwavering support,” Haynes said in a statement.

“To all my teammates throughout my career, you are the reason I have played for as long as I have. You have inspired me to be better every day. I have learned something from all of you on and off the field.

“You have challenged me as a player, helped me grow as a person and most importantly, made cricket fun.