Brindle calls time on England career

England allrounder Arran Brindle has announced her retirement from international cricket.

Brindle, 32, made her debut in 1999 then took a break between 2006 and 2011 to start a family. She clocked up 11 Tests, 88 one-day internationals and 35 Twenty20s; her final appearance was against Australia, in Sydney, earlier this month during a tour where England retained the Ashes.

One of her most telling contributions came during the 2005 series against Australia when she played a central role in England regaining the Ashes for the first time in 42 years by scoring 54 and an unbeaten 101 at Hove.

On the recent Ashes tour she made a crucial 68 in the Test at the WACA, lifting England out of trouble in their first innings in a match they won by 61 runs to pave the way for their overall victory. She then hit an unbeaten 64 in the first ODI at the MCG to put England on the brink of the Ashes.

In 2011 she made headlines when she became the first women to score a century in men's ECB Premier League cricket for Louth in the Lincolnshire Premier League.

"Nothing will ever match the feeling of pulling on my England shirt, but the time feels right to move on with my career at Greenwich House School and to spend more time at home with my family," he said.

"I will forever cherish the highs and lows of playing cricket for England. My fondest and proudest memories are undoubtedly of our battles against Australia, especially victory in 2005, regaining the Women's Ashes after 42 years.

"Having taken part in five Ashes series, I feel incredibly proud to walk away having won three. The most recent win in Australia has to be the biggest highlight, in particular, the immense team effort to win the Test in Perth."

Brindle's son Harry has been a regular presence with her on recent tours since resuming her international career in 2011 and she was hugely grateful for all the help provided by the ECB

"My return to international cricket in 2011 involved my family being allowed to travel with me. This was a first for the England women's cricket team and is something for which I cannot thank the ECB, my team-mates and the coaching staff enough for.

"Representing your country is the ultimate prize, but being able to share it so closely with my husband and son has been incredible. The players and staff have been totally supportive in helping me to juggle family life, teaching and playing international cricket.

Clare Connor, the ECB head of women's cricket, said: "Arran will be sorely missed. A true professional, an awesome athlete, a brave batsman, a dynamic fielder and a genuine team player in every sense, Arran has given her all to the England women's cricket team.

"We all know that this has been an agonising decision for Arran, but it is wholly respected as she embarks on the next stage of her teaching career. We wish her every success and happiness and thank her for her commitment and passion to the England women's cricket team."