Batter Lauren Down Retires; Represented New Zealand in 48 Matches

New Delhi: New Zealand batter Lauren Down has announced her retirement from international cricket. The 30-year-old made her debut for New Zealand women’s national cricket team in 2018.

Down said, “I’ve loved being part of the White Ferns group and feel incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to represent my country. I’ll truly miss being around the girls.”

In a statement released by New Zealand Cricket, Down added, “A big part of my cricket journey has been within the Auckland setup. I can’t thank Auckland Cricket, my coaches, and teammates enough for the role they’ve played in my career.”

Coach Praises Her Contribution

Head coach Ben Sawyer thanked Down for her dedication and contributions.

“Lauren has been outstanding. She always gave her all in the White Ferns environment. That’s a testament to her commitment and passion for the game. I’d like to thank her for her contributions to both the White Ferns and Auckland Cricket and wish her and her family all the best for the future,” Sawyer said.

Career Highlights

One of the country’s finest fielders, Down played a total of 48 international matches for New Zealand—35 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 13 T20 Internationals.

In 31 ODI innings, she scored 486 runs, including three half-centuries, with a highest score of 90. In nine T20I innings, she accumulated 93 runs.

A thumb injury ruled her out of the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, and she also missed the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later that year. However, she was part of the squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

At the domestic level, Down made her debut in 2011 at Melville Park in Auckland against Canterbury in a T20 match for the Auckland Hearts. She represented Auckland on 202 occasions (101 List A and 101 T20 matches) and is the third-highest run-scorer for the Hearts in T20 cricket with 1,496 runs.