Lizelle Lee retires from international cricket

Lizelle Lee has announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect, Cricket South Africa announced on Friday (July 8). The 30-year-old, who will continue to play domestic and franchise cricket, took the call ahead of the three-match ODI series against England.

Lee, who made her international debut in September 2013, played two Tests, 100 ODIs and 82 T20Is for South Africa. In the 50-over format, the right-hander slammed 3315 runs at an average of 36.42, studded with three tons and 23 fifties. Meanwhile, in T20Is, Lee managed 36.42 runs at 25.62.

Lee is only one of the two South African batters to score a hundred in the shortest format of the game. No other batter from her country has scored runs than Lee in T20Is, while she only comes second to the recently retired Mignon du Preez in the One-Day format.

LIZELLE LEE RETIRES FROM INTERNATIONAL CRICKET😢

Thank you for everything you have done 🫂

Here's to smashing the next phase of your life. We're going to miss you legend!#AlwaysRising #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/tA8Wjgg0tm

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) July 8, 2022

"It is with a lot of mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from international cricket. From a very young age, I have lived cricket and wanted to represent my country at the highest level. Over the past 8 years I was able to live that dream and I feel I have given everything I could to the Proteas," said Lee.

"I feel that I am ready for the next phase in my career and will continue to play domestic T20 cricket around the world. It has been an incredible journey and it would not have been possible without everyone who has supported me during my international career. I want to thank my family, especially my wife Tanja for all the sacrifices they have made for me to live out my dream to represent my country.  

Meanwhile, CSA Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe said: "It is with great sadness that we have to bid farewell to a titan of South African cricket at a relatively young age, however we wholeheartedly respect the individual’s decision and her desire to move onto the next chapter of her playing career.  

“Lizelle has given this nation countless memorable moments on the field of play, most notably in 2021 when she was leading from the front with the bat towards being named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in an effort to help South Africa soar to second place on the ICC ODI Rankings. We wish her and her young family nothing but the best from here onwards."