Nicola Browne announces retirement

New Zealand allrounder Nicola Browne, 27, has announced her retirement from international cricket.

"It was a tough decision but I feel that it's the right time to step away," Browne said. "When I look back I feel that I've achieved a lot of what I set out to do and have a lot of fond memories.

"I am still passionate about cricket and keen to stay involved. My focus will be on helping and supporting others to achieve their goals and dreams and doing my part to continue to grow the women's game in New Zealand."

Browne, who made her international debut in 2002, played two Tests, 108 ODIs and 34 Twenty20s for New Zealand. She enjoyed a good run in the shorter formats, picking up 77 wickets and scoring 1745 runs in one-dayers, and picked up 33 wickets in T20s, the most by a New Zealand bowler. She was named player of the tournament at the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in 2010.

"She [Browne] developed into one of the best bowlers in women's cricket and is an excellent role model for the other players," women's coach Gary Stead said. "She is an extremely dedicated and professional athlete and that showed in the way she went about preparing and playing the game."