Melissa Bulow quits international cricket

Melissa Bulow, the Australia batsman, has retired from international cricket but she will continue to play in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL), Australia's domestic limited-overs tournament.

She is Queensland's most experienced player, having represented them in 111 one-day matches, and has scored 3358 runs at an average of 31.09. After taking a 12-month break, she returned to play for Queensland last year, scoring 505 runs at an average of 50.50 in the Twenty20s.

Bulow made her international debut in 2003 against India, in the World Series of Women's Cricket. She, however, couldn't find a spot for herself at the top of the order before 2006, when she played her first Test, against India in Adelaide. Her last international appearance was in the Test against England in February 2008.

Cricket Australia calls her "Queensland's most successful WNCL player". In 2006-07, she won the WNCL player of the year award.

"I have had a wonderful career playing for Australia and have made some amazing memories and friendships along the way," Bulow said. "I still love playing cricket but feel now was the right time to step away from international duties. My passion and focus for the game is still there and look forward to continuing the domestic season."

Women's National Selection Panel Chair Jule Savage said, "[Melissa] returned to the Southern Stars squad, after a period out of the game, on the strength of some outstanding domestic form, so the WNSP are pleased that despite Mel's retirement from international cricket, she will still don the maroon colours for Queensland."