Being a cricketer means that at some point, the gruesome workload of the game takes a toll on the body. Playing so much cricket in a relatively short span of time means that cricketers are bound to bend to the limitations of their body at some point of time.

It is for this reason that Australia vice-captain Alex Blackwell has announced her retirement from the women’s team at the age of 34. She has also hung up her boots from state cricket, but will continue playing in the Women’s Big Bash League as the captain of her team, Sydney Thunder.

Blackwell is the most capped player in the Australian women team with 251 international appearances to her name. She has 13 WNCL titles, a World T20 and an Ashes victory as captain in the list of her accolades and was touted to take part in the 2021 World Cup, but she insisted on going wrapping it up on a high while also being excited about what the future holds for us.

"I think it's really nice to be able to finish at a time when I feel my game has never felt stronger," Blackwell told Cricket Australia's website. "I also become increasingly interested and excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, that may require my playing days to wrap up.

"[Retirement] probably creeps into your mind well in advance of the moment. The decision to retire was final in this season, I'm happy about that decision and excited about the opportunities again."

Picture credit: Wikipedia