New Zealand women’s wicket-keeper batter Rachel Priest has announced her retirement from international cricket. The 34-year-old represented New Zealand in 87 ODIs and 75 T20Is in her 13-year long career. Two weeks ago, Priest didn’t make into the contracted players for 2020-21 season because of her ordinary form.
Priest made a comeback in the list of contracted players list last season. Due to her poor form in eight matches in the previous year, the selectors left her out again from the contracted player list. She overall scored 1674 runs and 873 runs in ODIs and T20Is respectively for New Zealand.
Rachel Priest announces retirement
“Having been involved in the White Ferns environment for 13 years, most of it enjoyable, it is with much consideration that I have decided to retire from international cricket,” said Priest.
She had an ordinary T20 world cup in Australia earlier this year. Rachel Priest could only score 60 runs from four matches as New Zealand failed to qualify even for the semi-finals. However, her contribution to New Zealand cricket has been immense.
She said, “I am really looking forward to the next chapter of my cricketing journey with Cricket Tasmania and the Tigers program and feel very fortunate to be given the opportunity”.
The former player is now looking forward to her ‘new chapter’ after having signed with Tasmania for the 2020-21 domestic season. Rachel Priest conceded that she is thankful for the opportunity and is looking forward to the challenge.
“I got the call from Salliann Briggs to say that they were looking to add some experience to the squad, which was a call that I wasn’t really expecting. It’s an awesome opportunity and I’m keen to add that experience and learn from a new group of people”.
“This competition is probably the best domestic competition in the world, so it’s something that I always wanted to pursue. It’s a very exciting opportunity. I’m thankful that Sal had me on her radar as someone to play the entire season, which is what I want to focus on, and I’m looking forward to it”, Priest told Cricket Tasmania.
