‘Playing for England has meant everything to me’, says World Cup winning star
CRICKETER Isa Guha has announced her retirement from international cricket.
The British Asian World Cup winning star spent ten years with England’s women’s team in which time she won the ICC Women’s World Cup and World T20 tournaments in 2009, and the Ashes in 2005.
The 26-year-old represented England in eight Tests, 83 ODIs, 22 T20s and took 101 ODI and 29 Test wickets.
Guha’s most memorable performance came in the Bowral Test against Australia in 2008 when she took a match-winning nine for 100 to help England retain the Ashes and subsequently became the number one ranked bowler in the ICC’s international rankings.
“Playing for England has meant everything to me but it feels like the right time for me to step away from the international stage,” Guha, who will continue to play county cricket for Berkshire, said.
“The levels of commitment have become even greater which is testament to how the women’s game has developed and after ten years of prioritising cricket it’s now time to think about my future outside of the game.
“I’d like to thank my family and friends for their continual support over the years and to all those involved in helping me develop as a cricketer of which there are too many to mention. I have been fortunate to be supported by various physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches through the English Institute of Sport who have worked closely with me, especially in the last year to help overcome injury.
“I feel privileged to have received such strong backing from the ECB throughout my career as an England cricketer and think the opportunities for women to play and represent their country are ever increasing.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for England and will take many memories with me such as winning the Ashes in 2005, the World Cups in 2009 and our most recent whitewash of our tour in New Zealand. It has been a pleasure to play alongside some truly special cricketers and to see them grow as players. The current squad is the strongest I have ever been involved in and I hope they continue to lead the way in world cricket.”
Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor paid tribute to Guha saying she was a “fantastic role model”.
“I’d like to thank my family and friends for their continual support over the years and to all those involved in helping me develop as a cricketer of which there are too many to mention. I have been fortunate to be supported by various physiotherapists and strength and conditioning coaches through the English Institute of Sport who have worked closely with me, especially in the last year to help overcome injury.
“I feel privileged to have received such strong backing from the ECB throughout my career as an England cricketer and think the opportunities for women to play and represent their country are ever increasing.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time playing for England and will take many memories with me such as winning the Ashes in 2005, the World Cups in 2009 and our most recent whitewash of our tour in New Zealand. It has been a pleasure to play alongside some truly special cricketers and to see them grow as players. The current squad is the strongest I have ever been involved in and I hope they continue to lead the way in world cricket.”
Head of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor paid tribute to Guha saying she was a “fantastic role model”.
“Isa has made an enormous contribution to women’s cricket on and off the pitch and her retirement comes as sad news to us all,” she said.
“On behalf of ECB, and having played alongside Isa for four years, I would like to thank her for the way in which she played the game for England. Her professionalism, dedication and energy have played a significant part in the journey that the England women’s team has been on, culminating in the most successful period in their history.
“Isa should be rightfully proud of the part she has played in that journey. She has been a fantastic role model for all women and girls and has represented herself, her family and ECB with great distinction on and off the pitch. She will be missed but I am sure that her relentless passion for the game and for women in sport generally, will continue to play a part in the next chapter of her life.”
