Four-time Women’s Ashes and double World Cup winner Lydia Greenway retires from international cricket
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ECB’s Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor,
hails Greenway as a “match-winner” and “a model professional”
England batsman Lydia Greenway has
announced her retirement from international cricket.
After making her England debut in the
first Women’s Ashes Test of the 2003 tour to Australia, Greenway went on to
represent her country a further 224 times, comprising 14 Test caps, 126 One-Day
International (ODI) appearances and 85 Twenty20 International (T20I)
matches. As an innovative middle-order batsman known for her vast array
of sweep and reverse-sweep shots, she struck over 4,000 international runs, and
was widely regarded as one of the best fielders in the world, taking a total of
121 international catches.
During her 13 year England career,
Greenway won the Women’s Ashes four times, including playing an integral role in
the team’s success on home soil in the first multi-format Women’s Ashes in
2013, when she hit a match-winning 80 off only 64 balls to seal a series
deciding win in the second T20I at the Ageas Bowl. She was also an
important part of England’s victorious 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup and ICC
Women’s World T20 squads.
Lydia Greenway said:
“During recent discussions with Mark
Robinson about his focus on developing new players against Pakistan this
summer, it became clear that my involvement with the England team might be
limited moving forwards. Whilst in the past I have been in a similar
position and have fought for my place, I now feel that at this stage in my
life, it’s time to take a step back and retire from international cricket with
immediate effect, allowing the next generation of players to develop on the
world stage.
“I feel extremely privileged to have
represented England for 13 years, and I am very proud of what I have personally
achieved during this time. However, the success of the team and the
people I have played with is what will make the memories so special. The
double World Cup victories in 2009 was an amazing period for the team, and I
will be right behind the girls as they pursue another World Cup win on home
soil next year.
“I’d like to thank the ECB for getting
the women’s game to where it is now, all the coaches I have worked with, my
team mates, and most importantly my family and friends for their unconditional
support throughout my international career.”
ECB Director of England Women’s Cricket,
Clare Connor, added:
“Lydia has made an immense contribution
to the England women's cricket team over the past 13 years. A member of
the 2009 team that lifted two World Cups in the space of six months and a
member of the 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2014 Ashes-winning teams, she should be
incredibly proud of her numerous contributions to England success.
“With the bat, Lydia has been a
match-winner on countless occasions, none more memorable than when she struck
the Ashes-winning runs at the Ageas Bowl in 2013. Her 80 not out from 64
balls, in front of a 10,000 strong crowd, was a remarkable innings under
pressure.
“For several years, Lydia has been the
best fielder in the women's game. Indeed she took fielding in the women's
game to a new level of athleticism: her sliding, catching and diving stunning
audiences, both live and on television. Lydia has played every one of her
for 225 games for England with a smile on her face. She has been a model
professional, a fantastic role model through her work with Chance to Shine, and
a wonderful team member. I wish her every success as she moves in to the
next phase of her life.”
Greenway will continue to play domestic
cricket, representing the Southern Vipers in the inaugural Kia Super League
this summer, alongside playing for Kent in the Royal London Women’s One-Day
Championship.
MD
01/VI/16
MD
01/VI/16
One has to admit this is an interesting coaching strategy.
ReplyDeleteRobinson has set himself two challenges:-
(i) finding batsmen who can score at least as well as Edwards and Greenway (good luck there mate!)
(ii) developing a system that turns promising talent into world beaters – something that we do not have at the moment (that is unless you believe Claire Connor’s endlessly repeated mantra that we have strength in depth)
It seems to me that Robinson has taken the view that unless there is radical surgery England have no chance of winning a World Cup. “Same old, same old” will produce the same results and, if the last few T20 WCs are anything to go by, England have been going absolutely nowhere in that format.
Robinson’s is a high risk approach and, whilst the fact and manner of Edwards’ and Greenway’s departure makes my stomach churn, it is welcome news that Robinson is willing to take risks, be radical and live or die by his results. The England ‘system’ undoubtedly needs a big shakeup and Robinson is clearly willing to go where ‘angels fear to tread’.
Lydia Greenway is another player who pure stats cannot quantify a real team player, a consumate professional even before professionalism came into the team and the game.
ReplyDeleteMR is about to stress test the English depth at Academy level that CC lauds but below that the U17s & U19s leave the game at a rate that the Club and County system cannot stem. Unless something is done now I fear for the game - yes there are pockets of strength but we need real competition and investment across the board.
The WSL is a large bandage not the medicine the system needs.
I agree with what has been said but Lydia has under performed for the past twelve months with the bat.
ReplyDeleteIf he doesn't think Lydia or Charlotte are part of his plans moving forward, I am excitedly waiting for his squad announcement for the vital one day series with Pakistan. Hopefully there will be at least three debutants in the squad and that two of them start at Leicester on June 20th.
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ReplyDeleteHere is my 14 assuming no Fran Wilson or Amy Jones due to injury. Maybe this is what MR is considering ?
ReplyDeleteWinfield, Beaumont, Knight, Kirstie White, Sciver, Ellie Threlkeld, Elwiss, Wyatt, Farrant, Hazell, Anya Shrubsole,
Brunt, Gunn, Bryony Smith,
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ReplyDeleteThe non-contracted players you've included are very good, no doubt. Although I'm not sure we'd need both White and Threlkeld as they are both 'keepers and Winfield/Beaumont can also fill in this role. I would choose Emma Lamb instead as the most impressive uninjured Academy batsman who is in the best form. E. Jones another option but not doing very well at County yet this year. I also think that Dunkley would be another good strategic choice as all-rounder. As for bowlers, any of Hartley / Langston / Ecclestone / Butler all have a chance. A wild card would be Hollie Armitage, very talented and maybe worth the risk.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly a month of the long knives! I'm trying to think of a similar scything in women's cricket, but although I go back to my college girlfriend, who played county cricket with Rachel Heyhoe-Flint, I can't think of one. I always thought the sacking of Eileen Atkins needed explanation, and Ebony Rainford-Brent's retirement left questions to be answered, so at least Mr Robinson has been up-front about things. But with the aristocrats gone, I too am left wondering how we're going to get on 'sans culottes.'
ReplyDelete