The pride of playing for New Zealand

	Haidee Tiffen: "I have been a part of the winning World Cup team in 2000 and made friendships I know will last forever" © Getty Images

I had been thinking about retiring for a while and had spoken to my friends and family at Christmas about the thoughts of retiring. I know it is probably a bit odd at the timing of my retirement ahead of the World Twenty20 but I have had plenty of agonising hours deciding when it was right. I know in my heart before the World Cup that it was time. I thoroughly enjoyed the World Cup and I always wanted to retire on a high note and I feel I have done that. There is a new era of young talented White Ferns that I know will continue to represent our country with huge pride and passion. I know they will continue doing well. I will always be following the girls’ journey.

One reason for my decision to retire was the loss of earnings for us while we are on tour. It is very difficult to balance full time teaching and full-time cricket. If I was paid I probably would still be playing. It is hard to keep the balance and I know it has been my choice for the past few years and I certainly did not play for money, I played because I am hugely passionate about cricket and my country. The positive thing in the women’s game is that the playing programme for the women has grown but there is far more of a time commitment now in order to prepare for those tours and I suppose the loss of earnings on tour did come into account in my decision to retire. It is not the main reason but certainly a part of the reason.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my cricketing journey. I have been apart of a Timaru Girls High School team that won the National secondary school title in New Zealand, I have been apart of the huge history of successful State championships with Canterbury. I have played for my country for 10 years and captained out great nation, I have been a part of the winning World Cup team in 2000 and I have played alongside some amazing Kiwis. Not to mention I have met some amazing people from all over the world and made friendships I know will last forever. I have learnt a lot during my playing days, have had fantastic successes, gut-wrenching losses, been coached by brilliant coaches and I know all my experiences have shaped me in becoming the person I am today. I would never change anything I have experienced.

Looking ahead to New Zealand women’s cricket’s future, I think there are three players the world should be looking out for. Not only are they all outstanding allrounders but they all are fantastic ambassadors for our country. They are Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lucy Doolan. All talented and skilled in their own right and I believe they all will be highly ranked players in the world.

And I can assure you this is not the last you will see of me in the cricketing scene. I will continue to do some coaching here in New Zealand and I want to get my Level 3 coaching certificate. Maybe you might see me behind a microphone at future tournaments. I would certainly love to be involved in some way in the future and still continue to help raise the women’s profile as the women’s game is worth investing time into.