Morna Nielsen calls time on cricket career

New Zealand’s left-arm orthodox bowler, Morna Nielsen has announced her retirement from all forms of the game.



Having made her debut for New Zealand in a one-day international back in February 2010 against Australia, Nielsen went on to represent her country in 52 ODIs and 44 T20Is, earning 96 caps before calling time on her memorable career. She played her last match for New Zealand in November 2016.



Nielsen, a structural engineer by profession, started her domestic career in 2007, playing for Northern District as a left-arm medium pacer before moving to play for Otago Sparks. She switched to spin two years later and within four months of the change; she was called up to the White Ferns squad for the Australian series, having left a lasting impression on the selectors.



After being sidelined for some time following it, Nielsen made her way back into the side to play against Australia in the Rose Bowl series in January 2012, where she made her Twenty20 debut. A month on from there, she claimed the remarkable figure of 4-10 against England. In 2014, she rose to the No.1 position in the T20I Rankings and in the 2016 T20 World Cup, bowled the most economical spell of bowling in women’s T20 cricket, finishing with figures of 4-0-4-0. But, T20’s were not the only format in which she excelled. Nielsen is also part of an elite list White Ferns’ bowlers to take more than one five-for in ODI’s.



Nielsen was part of a time in women’s cricket when the game was rapidly developing and T20 leagues were emerging. She played for the Melbourne Stars in the Women’s Big Bash League and for the Southern Viper in the Kia Super League.



Reflecting on her career while announcing her retirement, Nielsen said, “Looking back on my career, it was awesome to have the opportunity to play at so many different places both domestically and internationally and to do so with people who are now lifelong friends.”



“It was an interesting time to be involved with the changing landscape of the women’s game. It opened up opportunities I never thought possible such as the Women’s Big Bash in Australia and Super League in England.”



Following her announcement, Haidee Tiffen, the White Ferns coach said, “Morna was extremely hard working and always willing to adapt and change as the game did. She can be proud of her career with the White Ferns and we wish her every success in life after cricket.”



For Nielsen, “life after cricket” entails going back to engineering full-time. About her future, she said “A big thanks must go to my work- BCD Group. They have been so supportive of my cricketing endeavours and now it’s time to get stuck into doing some actual work!



“I’ll still be keeping a keen eye on the Sparks in their domestic competitions. There’s an enormous  amount of talent in the squad and they are a great bunch of girls.”