Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes announces retirement from international cricket

Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes has announced her retirement from international cricket, effective immediately.

Rachael Haynes of Australia. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes has announced her retirement from international cricket, effective immediately.

The 35-year-old has played her final match for Australia and the New South Wales Breakers, while the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League campaign will be her last with the Sydney Thunder.

Haynes ends her international career with a list of accomplishments and accolades most cricketers could only dream of; two-time World Cup champion, four-time T20 World Cup champion, four-time Ashes winner, Commonwealth Games gold medallist, seven-time WNCL winner and two-time WBBL champion.

Watch Australia‘s Tour of India LIVE. Every match Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The left-handed batter has scored 3818 runs in international cricket across formats, representing Australia in six Tests, 77 ODIs and 84 T20Is after making her debut in 2009.

She also captained Australia in 14 matches, including the historic day-night Ashes Test match at North Sydney Oval in November 2017.

“Playing at this level isn’t possible without the support of many people,” Haynes said in a statement.

“From clubs, states, coaches, family and friends, I’m so grateful to those who helped me along the way. In particular, I want to thank my parents Ian and Jenni, and partner Leah for their unwavering support.

“To all the teammates across my career, you are the reason I’ve played as long as I have. You’ve inspired me to be better every day. I’ve learnt something from all of you, on and off the field. You’ve challenged me as a player, helped me grow as a person and most importantly, made cricket fun.

“One of the great things about having a long career is watching those around you develop. I’m extremely proud of the way this team has brought players in and nurtured their development. The ability to help players transition smoothly has been instrumental to our team’s success. To be a leader within this environment has been the greatest privilege of my career.”

Rachael Haynes will captain the Sydney Thunder this summer. Photo by Hanna Lassen/Getty Images

CA chief executive Nick Hockley said in a statement: “On behalf of everyone at Cricket Australia I’d like to congratulate Rachael on an amazing career and also recognise the outstanding contribution she has made off the field.

“Rachael’s calm and assured leadership has played a key role in Australia becoming one of the most successful sporting teams in history. She will go down as a great of the game.

“Rachael has been an inspirational figure for kids coming into the game and to her many teammates and has played an integral part in the advancement of cricket as a sport for women and girls, both here in Australia and around the world.

‘’We look forward to watching Rachael in the WBBL this season and hope she maintains a close connection to the game in coming years.”

During her domestic career, Haynes accumulated 4528 WNCL runs at 43.12 over 17 seasons with Victoria and New South Wales, scoring nine centuries and 27 fifties.

She finishes her domestic 50-over career as the Breakers’ fourth-highest run-scorer in history, sitting behind Alex Blackwell, Lisa Sthalekar and Lisa Keightly.

Rachael Haynes represented Australia at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images

“The contribution that Rachael has made to cricket in NSW and Australia can never be underestimated,” Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Garmon said in a statement.

“At a time when women’s cricket was in the most transformative state in the game’s history, Rach was at the forefront.

“As a player and a leader, her record and standing is undisputable and there is no doubt she will have inspired many, many young people to play and love cricket.

“Off the field of play, Rach has played a significant role to bring positive social impact, both inside and outside the cricket community.

“I look forward to watching her wind down her career with the Sydney Thunder in WBBL|08.”

Australia and New South Wales teammate Alyssa Healy said: “I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend most of my career playing with Rach.

“In the early years I played against her when she was at Victoria, and we have been rivals in the WBBL, but it’s pretty obvious that it’s better being on her team than trying to get her out.

“To have the privilege of being at the other end watching some of her greatest innings, and it those times, as well as the times off the field travelling around Australia and the world, that I will always cherish.”

Rachael Haynes with her teammates after winning the 2022 Women’s World Cup. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images