England Retain the Ashes in Australia - 2014
Feb 17
 2014

Arran Brindle retires from international cricket

[Arran Brindle] © Don Miles
Arran's Career Stats
England batting all-rounder Arran Brindle today announced her retirement from international cricket.
The 32-year-old first appeared on the international stage in 1999, and went on to represent England in 11 Tests, 88 One Day Internationals and 35 Twenty20 Internationals.
During a fifteen year England career – which included a five year break from 2006-2011 to start a family – she struck nearly 3000 international runs and returned 57 wickets for her country across all three formats of the game. Widely regarded as one of the best female fielders in the world, she also took 58 international catches.

In 2002, Brindle shared a then women’s Test record opening stand of 200 with Caroline Atkins against India in Lucknow, and nine years later became the first woman to score a century in men’s ECB Premier League cricket for her local club side Louth in the Lincolnshire Premier League.
Her performances during the memorable 2005 Women’s Ashes series against Australia were instrumental in helping England to regain the Ashes for the first time in 42 years. With scores of 54 and 101 not out, Brindle ensured that England held on for a crucial draw in the first Test, before she saw the side to a six wicket victory in the deciding encounter.
Since 2005 Brindle has won the Women’s Ashes on two further occasions, triumphing on home soil in the inaugural multi-format competition between the two teams last summer, alongside playing a pivotal role by scoring a total of 244 runs at an average of 61, in the historic victory in Australia last month.
Speaking about her decision to retire, Arran Brindle said:
“Nothing will ever match the feeling of pulling on my England shirt, but the time feels right to move on with my career at Greenwich House School and to spend more time at home with my family.
“I will forever cherish the highs and lows of playing cricket for England. My fondest and proudest memories are undoubtedly of our battles against Australia, especially victory in 2005, regaining the Women’s Ashes after 42 years. Having taken part in five Ashes series, I feel incredibly proud to walk away having won three, with the last two being contested over the innovative multi-format arrangement. The most recent win in Australia has to be the biggest highlight, in particular, the immense team effort to win the Test in Perth.
“My return to international cricket in 2011, after a five year break, involved my family being allowed to travel with me. This was a first for the England women's cricket team and is something for which I cannot thank the ECB, my team mates and the coaching staff enough for. Representing your country is the ultimate prize, but being able to share it so closely with my husband and son has been incredible. The players and staff have been totally supportive in helping me to juggle family life, teaching and playing international cricket.
“Clare Connor, Paul Shaw and Charlotte Edwards have created a very special world class environment within the England women's set-up. With the exciting news at the end of last week that the women's game will now be turning professional at an international level, I wish everyone involved every success in Bangladesh at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 next month, and for the future. The ground-breaking support from the ECB will hopefully enable them to achieve even more success.
“Finally, I would like to thank my parents, family and friends for their support which has enabled me to be part of such a fantastic journey with the England women's cricket team."
ECB Head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor added:
“Arran will be sorely missed. A true professional, an awesome athlete, a brave batsman, a dynamic fielder and a genuine team player in every sense, Arran has given her all to the England women's cricket team. We all know that this has been an agonising decision for Arran, but it is wholly respected as she embarks on the next stage of her teaching career. We wish her every success and happiness and thank her for her commitment and passion to the England women's cricket team."

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