Anya Shrubsole bids adieu to all forms of international cricket

English superstar Anya Shrubsole has decided to raise the curtain on her international career after serving the English women's national cricket team for fourteen years. 

Shrubsole was hailed for her brilliant performance against India in the finals of the Women's World Cup 2022, as she picked up a record six wickets for 46 runs to help her side clinch their fourth world cup title. 

The two-time world cup winner had an illustrious career, making 173 appearances for the national team across all formats. With 227 wickets to her name, Shrubsole finds herself amongst the top five wicket-takers in the one-day internationals. The player is also still at the top of the list of the leading wicket-takers for the English national side in the game's shortest format.

Talking about her retirement, Anya described her experiences with the national side, 

"I feel immensely privileged to have been able to represent my country for the past 14 years. To have been involved in women's cricket at a time of such growth has been an honour, but it has become clear to me that it is moving forward faster than I can keep up with, so it is time for me to step away."

Shrubsole has been one of the most crucial players for the team, and it will be important for the current players to step up and fill in her shoes. ECB's managing director of Women's cricket Clare Connor thanked the player for her services, 

"The most tremendous servant to English cricket, and to women's cricket specifically. For 14 years, she has given everything to the team, so it is fitting that her reasons for retiring are so selfless,"

She further added about Anya being the torchbearer for the national side,

"In her last game for England - the ICC Women's World Cup final in Christchurch - Anya was the team's stand-out performer with the ball, just as she was on that magical day at Lord's in 2017 when England Women lifted the World Cup. Anya loves the game as much as anyone I've ever met, and we look forward to retaining her expertise and passion as she embarks on her next chapter."

The player will still feature in the domestic circuit alongside her franchise in the Hundred. The English national side will surely remember one of the greatest bowlers of the decade.