Mumbai: Lisa Sthalekar, one of the best all rounders that women cricket has seen, today announced her retirement from international cricket, a day after Australia won its sixth World Cup.
The 33-year-old Sthalekar claimed two for 20 and also took a brilliant catch in Australia`s impressive 114-run win over the West Indies in the summit clash, yesterday.
Sthalekar made her international debut in 2001 and played eight Tests, 125 ODIs and 54 T20 International matches.
She scored 416 Test runs, 2728 ODI runs and 769 T20 runs and has two World Cups under her belt as she was part of victorious team in 2005 as well.
Sthalekar was also the first woman to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets in ODIs.
Her bowling statistics are equally impressive, having claimed 23 wickets in Tests, 146 in ODIs and 60 in T20s.
Sthalekar is currently ranked number one T20 all-rounder and bowler in the world and holds the number two ranking for ODI all-rounders and bowlers.
She was also a part of the winning teams in the ICC Women`s World Twenty20 in 2010 and 2012.
Sthalekar said the decision to retire from international cricket did not come easy.
"To finish my international career by playing in a successful ICC Women`s World Cup in the country of my birth is quite special for me," Sthalekar said.
"I feel that this is the right time for me to retire. Women`s cricket has changed a lot during my time in the game and it`s been an honour to witness this evolution first hand. We have seen at this year`s World Cup that the standard of women`s cricket across the world has grown immensely in the last few years alone," she said.
National Chair of Selectors Julie Savage said, "Lisa has been a tremendous player for Australia for a number of years and it`s fantastic to see her go out at the top of her game with a couple of World Cups under her belt this season. We?ve seen some tremendous performances that have contributed massively to us achieving those victories in the World Cups."
Sthalekar expressed her wish to continue her involvement in all aspects of the game.
"Cricket has given me a great deal during my life and I want to be able to give something back, whether it be through coaching, mentoring or other avenues," she said.
Sthalekar will make a decision about her future at state level at a later date.
PTI
First Published: Monday, February 18, 2013, 11:57