28 November 2019

Record-breaking Australian cricketer Alex Blackwell set to retire at the end of the season

Australia's most capped international player, Alex Blackwell, has announced she will retire from cricket at the end of the current Big Bash League.

The 36-year-old batter stepped away from the international game two seasons ago having scored more than 5,000 runs for the national side and led the side to victory at the 2010 World Twenty20.

She is the Sydney Thunder's leading run-scorer across the men's and women's league and captained her side to the inaugural title in 2016 but has announced that this, her 19th season in domestic cricket, will be her last.

The prolific run-scorer informed her team-mates of the decision after hitting a match winning 65 to guide them to victory over the Melbourne Stars.

She admitted she made the decision in order to allow young players to come through the ranks, saying: “I’d decided before the match that I was going to retire. It’s got to come to an end at some point.

“There’s been many highlights, but what’s been really cool is watching the next generation of Thunder players grabbing their opportunities.

“It’s been very special to be a part of that – I’m really satisfied. I’ve been really happy with mentoring out in the middle."

The Sydney Thunder meet the Melbourne Renegades on Sunday in a game they must win in order to advance to the semi-finals.

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