Laura Marsh retires from international cricket

Laura Marsh drew curtains on her international

career that spanned 13 years by announcing her retirement on Monday (December

16). With 217 international wickets to her credit, the off-spinner walks away

as England’s most successful spinner, also their third highest wicket-taker in

ODIs with 129 scalps.

Marsh made her debut in 2006 and started

off as a seamer before injuries forced her to look to spin. She announced

herself at the big stage by becoming the leading wicket-taker in the Women’s

World Cup in 2009 – the one England won – where she picked up 16 wickets,

including her ODI best of five for 15 against Pakistan.

“Laura has been a fantastic servant to

English cricket and we're so grateful for everything she has contributed over a

career spanning 13 years,” said Clare Connor, England and Wales Cricket Board’s

Managing Director, Women’s Cricket.

“She’ll be remembered by those who have

played with her and worked with her for her kindness, her loyalty and her

relentless desire to improve. Laura was softly spoken but fiercely determined

to play her part for the team.”

Marsh was, apart from the 2009 Women’s

World Cup, was a part of England’s title wins in the World T20 in 2009 as well

as the Women’s World Cup win in 2017 – being one of the five to have been a

part of the wins in both 2009 and 2017.

“Her record ranks amongst the very best

bowlers in the history of our game but the stats are only one part of her

impact,” adder Connor. “Not many cricketers in the world have won three World

Cups, and these are wonderful memories that Laura takes into retirement with

her. She's been the complete team player and a role model for England women’s

cricket and she will be missed.”

Marsh has a half century in each format.

Her T20I fifty came while she opened the batting for England while those in

Tests and ODIs came lower down the order. Her last international series was the

Ashes in 2019.