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New Zealand's 30-year-old batter Lauren Down has announced her retirement after nearly 14 months of absence from the side. Lauren's last ODI and T20I appearance was in December 2024 and December 2022 respectively.
"I have loved my time being part of the White Ferns group and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have represented my country," she said in a statement issued by New Zealand Cricket.
"I will miss being around the girls, but I'm now looking forward to watching on from the sidelines and seeing what this group is able to achieve.
“A huge part of my cricket career has been in the Auckland set up and I cannot thank Auckland Cricket, my coaches and team mates enough for the part they have played in my journey.”
Lauren’s ODI and T20I career in numbers
White Ferns’ middle-order batter has been a stalwart in domestic cricket. The Auckland-born middle-order batter played 45 ODIs, scoring 486 runs from 31 innings at an average of 16.75, including three fifties. Her ODI best of 90 came against Australia in April 2021.
Lauren has played just 13 T20Is. From nine innings she has managed to score just 93 runs at an average of 13.28 and strike rate of 86.11. She did not excel in the T20Is and couldn't cross the 20-run mark even once.
She missed representing New Zealand in ICC Women's World Cup 2022 and Commonwealth Games 2022 due to a thumb injury. She was in the squad for the following T20 World Cup edition.
Lauren had turned out the White Ferns' central contract for 2023-24 season due to maternity leave. She returned to the side in 2024. She was ruled out of series against Sri Lanka due to a back injury and couldn't make a comeback.
Head coach lauds Lauren
Head coach Ben Sawyer thanked Lauren for her contributions to the New Zealand side. He praised her for the quick turnaround to the international arena after welcoming her first child.
“Lauren has been a fantastic team person and has always given her all in the WHITE FERNS environment,” said Sawyer.
“It’s a testament to her dedication and commitment to her game that she was able to go away to welcome her first child and then return to the level of international cricket so quickly.
“Lauren has been a valued member of the WHITE FERNS and has always demonstrated the values of our team both inside and outside the environment."
Lauren hanged up her boots ahead of Zimbabwe’s tour of New Zealand. The three T20I series will begin on February 25. It will be followed by a three-ODI series.
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