Cathryn Fitzpatrick, the world's fastest female bowler for past 16 years, on Tuesday announced her retirement from international cricket.
MELBOURNE: Cathryn Fitzpatrick, the world's fastest female bowler for past 16 years, on Tuesday announced her retirement from international cricket.
The 39-year-old, who was in devastating form during Australia's victory in the four-nation tournament in India earlier this month, said it was time to pull stumps and she would look at her involvement in coaching job.
"You can't keep playing forever and there comes a point when you have to call it a day. There are only so many pre-seasons you can do," she said.
"Although I've decided to hang the boots up on my playing career, I want to continue my involvement in cricket by extending my coaching role and I'm looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead."
"I've been coaching and playing simultaneously for a long time now and I'm about to finish my coaching scholarship with the Australian Sports Commission so the time is right for the next phase of my career," she added.
Her illustrious career boasted four World Cup tours, two World Cup victories, a record 180 One-Day International wickets at 16.79 and 60 Test wickets at 19.11.
"We played at Lord's which is an amazing experience, we completed a whitewash against England but it was just the way we played that gave me great enjoyment and satisfaction."
Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland paid tribute to Fitzpatrick and her contribution to Australian cricket.
"Cathryn Fitzpatrick has been in a league of her own as the world's premier female fast bowler for nearly two decades. When you need accuracy, composure, consistency, when you need a breakthrough wicket, Cathryn was there and delivered time and again for her country and state."
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