Jenny Gunn bids adieu to international cricket

Jenny Gunn, England allrounder, announced her retirement from international cricket on Tuesday (October 15). The three-time World Cup winner made the call after realising that it was time to move on after spending 15 years on the field.



"I have made one of the hardest decisions and decided the time has come to retire from international cricket. I started as a young kid playing the game I loved for fun and I could only dream of becoming a professional cricketer," Gunn said.



Gunn is the first player across gender to have played a 100 T20Is. In 104 matches in the format, she has 75 scalps, a mark that lies behind Anya Shrubsole's 87 and Danielle Hazell's 85 in terms of most wickets for England in T20Is.



The 33-year-old, who always wanted to put a World Cup medal next to her father's European Cup winner's medal, got lucky thrice. "I’ve been lucky enough to play in some great teams and to be part of some amazing battles over the years but as a small girl I always said I wanted to put a World Cup medal next to my dad's European Cup winner's medal, and there are now three of them next to his medal on the mantelpiece!"



Gunn with 259 matches finished as England's second cricketer for the most appearances behind her former skipper Charlotte Edwards (with 309). Along the way the all-rounder, who made her debut in 2004, went on to win five Ashes series.



In ODIs, she has 136 wickets, second only to Katherine Brunt (148) for England. Gunn is the only English bowler to have scored 1000 runs in the format as well as pick over 100 wickets.



"I’m so grateful for the support throughout my career and I couldn’t have done it without my friends. "But most of all, I couldn't have done it without my family, all of whom have been there for me every step of the way."



Clare Connor, Managing Director of Women's Cricket, hailed Gunn's longevity, work ethic and commitment to the national side. "Jenny has been the most tremendous servant to England Women's cricket throughout the 15 years she has played for England.



"Her longevity, work ethic and commitment have been hugely impressive across both the amateur and professional eras and on countless occasions she has delivered match-winning performances for the team with both bat and ball. Very few international cricketers have carried themselves with so much humility and shown such care for her team-mates as Jenny. She will be very missed by players and staff alike," Connor said.