Clare Connor announces retirement

Clare Connor has brought an end to her England career © Getty Images

Clare Connor, the England women's captain, has announced her retirement from international cricket after a ten-year career, including six years at the helm. One of her final acts as captain was to help England regain the Ashes after 42 years.

Connor played 93 one-day internationals and 16 Tests, the last of which was when England won the Ashes in August. However, she was forced to miss this winter's tour to Sri Lanka and India due to injury.

She took over the captaincy in February 2000 during the series against New Zealand and as captain she won five series. In 2004 she was awarded an MBE for her services to women's cricket and then in 2005 she was awarded an OBE for her services to sport.

Connor took a two-year sabbatical from teaching at Brighton College to focus on her cricket and worked extensively in the cricket media. She will now return to teaching English and PE and will head up Brighton College's PR department.

Reflecting on the decision to bring an end to her international career, Connor said: "After a decade of playing for England and six years leading the side, I have come to the decision to retire from international cricket. I have spent the last six months undergoing an agonising decision-making process and actually penning these words is the hardest moment of it all.

"I have fulfilled the dream I had as a young girl: I have played for my country, led my country and we have won the Ashes. I firmly believe that women's cricket in this country, at every level, is in the healthiest state it has ever been in and I am so proud to have played a part in that success and rise in profile.

'Whilst it has never been my job, playing for my country has been my life' © Getty Images

"Whilst it has never been my job, playing for my country has been my life. With the Ashes now back in their rightful home at Lord's, I feel it is the right time for me to turn to pastures new and for my successor to take the team, a wonderful team, to the next level."

Richard Bates, the England coach, said: "This has obviously been a very difficult decision for Clare to make as playing for England has been her life for the past 10 years. She has played a huge part in the progress we have made in recent years and will of course be missed in the England camp both on and off the field. It has been a pleasure to work alongside Clare over the past three years; the highlight of course was her leading us to Ashes victory in the summer."

Charlotte Edwards, the current vice-captain, has been named as England's new captain, after standing in for Connor on the winter tour. Edwards said she was thrilled by the honour, but that Connor will be missed.

"It is a great honour for me to be asked to captain my country and something I will do with great pride. It is something I have always dreamed of and will relish the role. We will all miss Clare as she was such an inspirational leader, but we must now look to the future and take women's cricket to the next level."

Gill McConway, the executive director for women's cricket, said: "Clare has been a wonderful ambassador and captain for England. She will be very much missed on and off the field by her colleagues and everyone involved in the game. Clare took over the captaincy when England was at its lowest and through her inspiration, dedication and love for the game she helped build the England side and team ethics to what it is today. I wish her the very best of happiness and success in her new world outside of cricket.

"England is most fortunate to have someone of Charlotte's talent and leadership skills to take over the reigns. I have every confidence that Charlotte will do a wonderful job in leading England to the next World Cup challenge in 2009."

Bates added that he believes England have a natural successor in Edwards: "We are delighted that Charlotte has accepted the captaincy. Charlotte has all the credentials needed to be a successful captain and has proven when she has stepped in to cover for Clare that she has what it takes to get the best out of her team mates. She has a very good understanding of the game and I'm sure she will take us to the next level."