2019 saw England women’s most successful spinner ever, three-time world champion, and two-time Ashes retainer, Laura Marsh announce her retirement from International Cricket.

And now, in an exclusive interview with Newschain, the 33-year-old speaks openly about her 13-year international career, her ‘dysfunctional cricketing family', and what the future holds for her and for cricket.

Marsh made her International debut in a rained-off game against India in 2006, but her career was anything but a wash-out. She amassed a record 217 international wickets across all three formats as well as lifting three World Cup trophies; the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2009 and 2017 and the Twenty20 World Cup in 2009.

When asked what prompted her retirement, she says: “I suppose I’d got to the point where it was time. I’d been thinking about it on and off for quite some time and you never really know when the time is right."

She acknowledged that it was better to walk away from the game while still enjoying it and performing well, adding: “I felt it was now and I can walk away from the game feeling really proud of what I’ve achieved and not have any regrets. I’ve still got my game and I’m still loving it but it’s nice to leave on my own terms.”

While she regarded the double world cup win in 2009 as 'phenomenal', it's the 2017 Lord's final she regards as the highpoint of her career.

"To win the World Cup at Lord's was incredible and kind of surreal and definitely an unforgettable once in a lifetime experience.

"I would never have believed ten years ago that I would be able to win a World Cup final on home soil at Lord's in front of a sold-out crowd."

The historic win over India in the final attracted more viewers than any other English cricket that summer and the tournament as a whole drew in over 180 million global viewers. 

The growth of the women's game over her career is something that means a lot to Marsh.

"The transformation of women's cricket over that time [13 years] is just amazing and something I feel really proud of being part of.

"It's great to see how far it's come and how much it can still grow."

With the discontinuation of the Kia Super League, there has been much scepticism over the future of women's cricket in this country but the off-spinner was confident that the new Hundred format as well as increased financial investments in the game will bring a bright future.

"It's fantastic to see more investment into developing the women's game and that will do wonders for developing the pathway right from grass roots," she said.

"The Hundred is also going to be amazing. It's a brand new tournament with new rules and it's going to be a lot of fun. The men and women share team names which will hopefully show that our cricket is just as good as theirs.

"It's going to be a great tournament and a huge step forward for the women's game." 

However, Marsh admitted she did have one unlikely career regret: "I was within five minutes of meeting David Beckham at Sports Personality one year which is one of my biggest regrets in life.

"A few of us left and like five minutes later Dani Wyatt sent a picture of her with him to the group and I was like "nooo!" But other than that I don't regret anything in my career."

She finished off by praising her teammates and the dressing room mentality saying: "I'm definitely going to miss the girls and the changing room the most. It's hard to replicate that dysfunctional family feeling that we have.

"It's such a special place and thing to be part of. I'll miss all the characters in there and that feeling of elation when you win. You just can't replicate anything like that and it's something I will always be honoured to have been part of."