South Africa's Lizelle Lee announces international retirement

South African women's batter Lizelle Lee has announced her retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. 

Lee, 30, made her debut for South Africa in 2013 in a WT20I against Bangladesh and made her Women's One-Day International (WODI) debut a week later against the same opposition.

The announcement comes ahead of South Africa's upcoming 3-WODI series against hosts England starting July 11. The opening batter represented South Africa in 2 Women's Tests, 100 WODIs, and 84 WT20Is.

Her statement read: "It is with a lot of mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from international cricket. From a very young age, I have lived cricket and wanted to represent my country at the highest level. Over the past eight years, I was able to live that dream, and I feel I have given everything I could to the Proteas.

"I feel that I am ready for the next phase in my career and will continue to play domestic T20 cricket around the world.

"It has been an incredible journey and it would not have been possible without everyone who has supported me during my international career. I want to thank my family, especially my wife Tanja for all the sacrifices they have made for me to live out my dream to represent my country.

"Thank you to CSA, SACA and all stakeholders involved for the opportunities and support you afforded me to make my dreams of playing for the Proteas come true.

"My fellow Proteas teammates, thank you for the wonderful memories we have made together. You have made this journey incredible, and I could not have done this without you. I will always be supporting you; we will always be rising together.

"Lastly to my fans, I am the person I am because of the love and support you have given me throughout my international career. I look forward to continuing this journey with you in the different leagues around the world".

Lee is the second-highest run-scorer for South Africa behind former skipper Mignon du Preez (3,760) in the 50-overs format with 3,315 runs, including three tons and 23 half-centuries.

However, she is her nation's leading run-getter in T20Is, having scored 1,896 runs with one hundred and 13 fifties. She is the second South African player to score a T20I hundred since Shandre Fritz.

She was also awarded ICC Women's ODI Cricketer for the Year 2021, edging the likes of Tammy Beaumont, Hayley Matthews, and Fatima Sana.

She was thanked by Cricket South Africa's (CSA) Director of Cricket, Enoch Nkwe, and Pholetsi Moseki, CSA Chief Executive Officer, for her services to the game and South Africa.