North West Dragons and Proteas opening batter, Lizelle Lee, has announced her sudden retirement from international cricket at the age of 30.
This comes just before the upcoming ODI series for the Proteas Women against England Women starting tomorrow (11 July).
Lee is one of the NW Dragons women’s greatest success stories having made a massive impact globally as an international cricketer for the past 8 years. She is also the reigning ICC women’s cricketer of the year having won the award in 2021 – safe to say Lee leaves the Proteas setup at her peak.
She is the leading T20 international run scorer for South Africa and second all-time in ODI’s for the Proteas women.
Lee will still play domestic cricket around the world.
“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 8 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,” mentioned Lee in a press statement.
“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,” she added.
The 30-year-old made her international bow for South Africa in 2013 during the inbound tour against
Bangladesh, debuting in T20 International (T20I) cricket at her home ground in Potchefstroom before
receiving her first cap in One-Day International (ODI) cricket a week later.
In the 50-over game, the opening batter amassed 3 315 runs in 100 matches, including 23 half centuries and three centuries with a career-best score of 132 not out against India in Lucknow in
March last year. In the shorter format, Lee played 82 games for the green and gold, recording 1 896
runs, while notching up 13 fifties and one hundred against Thailand in 2020, which made her only the
second South African woman to reach triple figures in T20Is.
