Katherine Brunt Retires From Test Cricket!

When it comes to women’s cricket, some ladies have gone on to etch their name in the history of the sport and one of them definitely has to be England’s Katherine Brunt. Known for her bowling and ability to get her side wickets when most needed, she’s also contributed with the bat more times than you would imagine, for England Women as well as in domestic women’s tournaments.

Today however, the bowling all-rounder and legend of England women’s cricket has gone on to announce her retirement from the longest form of the game. She made her Test debut in 2004 and since then, played as many as 14 Tests for England women, picking up 51 wickets in those games including three 5-fers and a best of 52 with the bat as well.

Katherine Brunt announces Test retirement

In women’s cricket, Tests are not prioritised and hence the low number of games in the longest format even though she’s had such a long-spanning international career. However, it seems to be a smart decision as women’s Tests are so few and spaced out, for her to retire from the longest form and concentrate on the white ball formats.

Brunt is still super fit and brings all her experience to the fore when she plays, now a few days away from her 37th birthday. Her fondest memory would be winning player of the match when England won the Women’s Ashes for the first time in 42 years. In the ODI format, she’s got 167 wickets under her belt while having 98 scalps in the women’s T20I format.

“I feel like as an athlete there is never an obvious time to step away from doing the thing that you love. But over the past two years thoughts of retirement have surfaced more and more, so I’ve decided to make a smart decision rather than an emotional one. Test cricket is my absolute passion and to retire from this format was truly a heart-breaking choice to make, but it allows me to prioritise white-ball cricket,” said Brunt in a statement about her retirement.

“I know that I leave it in a great place, the bowlers coming through are ready and they’re just itching to be let loose. And with the South Africa game around the corner, I’m very much looking forward to watching them from the best seat in the house,” she added, talking about missing the first women’s Test between England and South Africa since 2003.

The end of an era.
Our third leading wicket-taker in the format, @kbrunt26 is retiring from Test cricket.
Thank you Brunty ❤️
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 18, 2022

“Katherine’s passion and commitment was never more evident than when she played Test cricket for England and you only need to watch the last Ashes Test to see her desire, her heart and her undoubted ability with the red ball in hand,” said Jonathan Finch, director of England Women’s cricket, about her decision to retire.