Lizelle Lee announces retirement from International Cricket

Opening Batter for South Africa, Lizelle Lee, has declared her retirement from all forms of international cricket. Her retirement will take effect immediately. This information comes just before the next One-Day International (ODI) series against England, which will begin on Monday, July 11 in Northampton. The series will consist of three matches. 

The 30-year-old player made her debut for South Africa in 2013 during an inbound trip against Bangladesh. She started out playing Twenty20 International cricket in her home ground in Potchefstroom, and then a week later she was given her maiden One-Day International cap.

The opening batter amassed a total of 3,315 runs throughout the course of 100 50-over matches, including 23 half-centuries and 3 centuries. Among those runs was a career-high 132 not out recorded against India in Lucknow in March of the previous year. Lee became the second South African woman to reach triple digits in Twenty20 Internationals when she played 82 matches, scored 1,896 runs, struck 13 fifty-plus scores, and scored a century against Thailand in 2020.

“It is with a lot of mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from international cricket. From a very young age, I have lived cricket and wanted to represent my country at the highest level. Over the past 8 years, I was able to live that dream and I feel I have given everything I could to the Proteas,” Lee said in an official statement released by Cricket South Africa.

“I feel that I am ready for the next phase in my career and will continue to play domestic T20 cricket around the world.  It has been an incredible journey and it would not have been possible without everyone who has supported me during my international career. I want to thank my family, especially my wife Tanja for all the sacrifices they have made for me to live out my dream to represent my country,” she added.

“I will always be supporting you; we will always be rising together. Lastly to my fans, I am the person I am because of the love and support you have given me throughout my international career. I look forward to continuing this journey with you in the different leagues around the world,” concluded Lizelle.