Source: Harry Engels/Getty Images for the ECB

Holly Colvin retires from international cricket

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Sussex left-arm spinner Holly Colvin has today officially announced her retirement from international cricket.

The 26-year-old, who took an indefinite break from all cricket following England’s successful Women’s Ashes campaign in 2013, has been appointed as the new Women’s Cricket Senior Officer at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and will be moving to Dubai to take up the position towards the end of November.

Colvin made history in 2005 by becoming England’s youngest ever Test cricketer (of either gender) when she made her international debut at the age of 15, taking 3 for 67 in the first innings of the Women’s Ashes Test in Hove.  She went on to play a total of five Tests, 72 One-Day Internationals and 50 Twenty20 Internationals, returning 13, 98 and 63 wickets across each format respectively, and was a member of England’s ICC Women’s World Twenty20 and ICC Women’s World Cup winning sides in 2009.

Holly Colvin said: “The women’s game is barely recognisable from when I first started playing, and even in the last couple of years since I took a break from the sport in 2013, the speed of professionalism in international women’s cricket has been remarkable.

“There are so many amazing opportunities now in the women’s game – both as a player and off the field – and I’m really excited to be starting this new challenge with the ICC in Dubai.  It is the perfect next step for me to progress my career at the heart of the international women’s game.

“Being involved with the England women’s team from such a young age has given me so much and I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today without the experiences and people I have met along the way.  I would like to wish all the England players and staff the very best for the future.”

ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, added: “To make your Test match debut as a 15-year-old in the first Test of an Ashes series takes a very special player.  Holly had a hugely successful international career and she can be very proud of everything that she accomplished during her eight years in the England women’s team.  To retire with four Ashes victories to your name and as a double-World Cup winner is a superb achievement.

“Her move to work with the ICC in Dubai represents another sign of how the women’s game continues to develop.  It is brilliant that there are now so many more professional opportunities in the women’s game, and the sport will be richer for retaining her talent.”

Report courtesy of the ECB