Katey Martin announces retirement from international cricket

One of the most experienced New Zealand women's cricketer, Katey Martin, announced her retirement on 18 May.

The wicket-keeper batter's first appearance for the Kiwi team was in a Test fixture against India in November 2003. Although she managed to contribute a total of 49 runs, it remained her only appearance in whites. 

In the same series, she made her WODI debut as well. To date, she featured in 103 matches and amassed 1793 runs at 22.13, with the top score of 81 coming against South Africa in 2016. 

In 2008, she made her WT20I debut against Australia. After that, she went on to be a part of 95 matches and garnered 996 runs.

Martin's last appearance in an international fixture came against Pakistan in Women's World Cup 2022, wherein she contributed an unbeaten 30 off 26 balls. 

After announcing the retirement, the talented batter reckoned that leading up to the Pakistan fixture; she knew it would be her last appearance for the Kiwi team. 

"I knew heading into that match it could be my last time playing for New Zealand, hence why I was quite emotional," she said.

"I took some time after the tournament to talk to family and friends to solidify my decision before making it official today," Martin added.

Martin thinks it was an incredible experience to be a part of the team for nearly two decades and thanked her teammates, coaches and opposition players for giving her memories for a lifetime. 

"It's been an incredible experience," Martin said. "To all my teammates, coaches, opposition, fans and friends I've met along the way, I want to thank you for making my time in cricket so memorable.

"Cricket really has given me my life - from leaving Dunedin as a youngster to attend the NZC Academy in Christchurch to travelling the world as a White Fern and representing my country - it's been a dream come true," Martin concluded.