Lea Tahuhu Announces Retirement from Women's ODIs After 15-Year Career
Synopsis
In a heartfelt announcement, New Zealand's Lea Tahuhu retires from Women's ODIs after an illustrious 15-year career, remaining hopeful for her role in T20s. Discover her remarkable journey and future aspirations as she steps away from a format where she excelled.
Key Takeaways
Lea Tahuhu retires from Women's ODIs after 15 years.
She holds the record for most ODI wickets for New Zealand.
Tahuhu will continue playing in T20s.
Her leadership has been pivotal for the White Ferns.
She has been a role model for aspiring female cricketers.
Wellington, March 8 (NationPress) New Zealand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu has declared her retirement from Women's One Day Internationals, marking the end of her impressive 15-year journey in this format. However, she will remain eligible for selection in T20 Internationals.
According to New Zealand Cricket (NZC), Tahuhu is set to be included in the White Ferns roster for the T20I series against South Africa, with the announcement expected on Tuesday.
Making her ODI debut at just 20 years old against Australia in Brisbane during the 2011 Rose Bowl series, Tahuhu has represented New Zealand in 103 ODIs and retires as the nation's all-time leading ODI wicket-taker with an impressive tally of 125 wickets.
“It’s always been a privilege and an honor to wear the WHITE FERNS jersey in ODI cricket. Just playing one game was a remarkable experience. To have represented my country and family over 100 times in ODIs is beyond what I could have imagined,” said Tahuhu in a statement released by NZC.
“I will cherish every moment and leave the ODI format feeling incredibly proud of my accomplishments,” she added.
Tahuhu's last ODI match for New Zealand was against England at the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup held in India, and she expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming T20 format.
“Exciting times lie ahead, and I am eager to continue contributing to the team in T20s. Winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 was a monumental achievement, and I am highly motivated to travel to England later this year to help defend our title,” she remarked.
The 35-year-old pacer is among 12 players who have played over 100 ODIs for the White Ferns and has participated in four World Cups, including the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup on home soil in New Zealand. Consistently ranked in the top ten ODI bowlers, she was often recognized as the fastest bowler in the world at her peak and was named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year in 2023 after an outstanding season.
Head coach Ben Sawyer acknowledged the significant impact of Tahuhu's contributions to the ODI game.
“Lea has been at the forefront of women’s ODI cricket for 15 years, which is a remarkable feat for a pace bowler. Her speed has always been a strong asset, but her competitive spirit and determination to advance this team have been particularly notable, inspiring younger bowlers who are now honing their skills in the ODI format,” Sawyer noted.
“Lea has served as the senior figure in the ODI bowling squad, leaving it well-positioned for the next four-year cycle, which speaks volumes about her leadership,” he added.
Sawyer emphasized that Tahuhu’s ODI statistics are impressive. “To step away from a format as your country’s leading wicket-taker is an achievement that Lea can be extremely proud of. She has reached the pinnacle of ODI cricket and set new bowling benchmarks for the White Ferns,” he concluded.
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight the significance of Lea Tahuhu's retirement in the context of New Zealand cricket. Her achievements not only mark a personal milestone but also set a standard for future generations of female cricketers. Her leadership and performance have left an indelible mark on the sport, and her transition to T20 formats will be closely followed as she continues to inspire young athletes.
NationPress
2 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Lea Tahuhu's retirement from ODIs?
Lea Tahuhu has chosen to retire from Women's ODIs after a 15-year career, while remaining available for T20 selections.
How many ODIs has Lea Tahuhu played?
Lea Tahuhu has represented New Zealand in 103 One Day Internationals.
What is Lea Tahuhu's ODI wicket record?
She is New Zealand's all-time leading ODI wicket-taker with 125 wickets.
What are Lea Tahuhu's future plans in cricket?
Tahuhu is looking forward to contributing to the T20 format and aims to defend her team's title in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
What has been said about Lea Tahuhu's impact on women's cricket?
Her contributions to women's cricket have been significant, inspiring younger bowlers and setting new standards in the ODI format.
