New Delhi, Feb 19 (NationPress) Lauren Down, the New Zealand cricketer, has officially concluded her 15-year journey in cricket at the age of 30. She made her mark by participating in 35 ODIs and 13 T20Is for the White Ferns since her international debut in 2018.

Down began her career with her local team, the Hearts, in 2011, competing in a T20 match against Canterbury at Melville Park in Auckland. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to Auckland, featuring in 202 matches (101 List A and 101 T20).

“I have cherished my time with the White Ferns and am deeply thankful for the chance to represent my country. I will miss the camaraderie with the team, but I eagerly anticipate supporting them from the sidelines as they pursue future successes,” Down expressed.

In her cricketing journey, Down became the third highest appearance holder for the Hearts and ranks third in T20 runs (1,496) and fourth in List A runs (2,690), also achieving 41 wickets during her initial days as an all-rounder.

She played a pivotal role in five victorious Hallyburton Johnstone Shield seasons, aiding the Hearts in clinching the women's 50-over championship titles in 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, and most recently in 2019-20, where she scored an impressive 90 runs in the Grand Final to secure a 67-run victory against Northern Districts at Seddon Park.

Her stellar domestic performance during the 2017-18 season earned her an international debut in a nail-biting one-run ODI victory over the West Indies in Lincoln in March 2018.

Despite a thumb injury preventing her participation in the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, she made a comeback for the West Indies tour in September 2022 and was selected for Ben Sawyer’s squad for the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Down chose to decline a New Zealand women’s central contract for the 2023-24 season to welcome her first child, planning to return to the 2024-25 roster and participate in the 2024 tours of England and India. She represented New Zealand for her final match in the third ODI against Australia at the Cello Basin Reserve last summer.

Recognized as one of the top fielders in the nation, Down was frequently seen in the cover and point regions. Alongside her achievements with Auckland and the White Ferns, she also played for the Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League and had engagements with Oxfordshire in the UK.

New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer expressed gratitude for Down’s contributions, stating, “Lauren has been a tremendous team player, always giving her utmost in the WHITE FERNS setting. Her swift return to international cricket after welcoming her first child is a testament to her dedication and commitment to the game.”

“Lauren has been an invaluable asset to the White Ferns and has consistently embodied our team values both on and off the field. I extend my heartfelt thanks to Lauren for her contributions to both the WHITE FERNS and Auckland Cricket and wish her and her family the very best for the future.”