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Lea Tahuhu Retires from ODIs as New Zealand's Top Wicket-Taker

New Zealand women's cricket fast bowler Lea Tahuhu has announced her retirement from One-Day Internationals after a 15-year career. She debuted in 2011 and retires having played 103 ODIs, making her New Zealand's all-time leading wicket-taker in the format with 125 scalps. Tahuhu, renowned for her pace and named in the 2023 ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year, says representing her country was a huge honour. She will continue her international career in the T20 format, aiming to help defend New Zealand's T20 World Cup title later this year.

Key Points: Lea Tahuhu Retires from ODI Cricket After 15 Years

  • Retires after 15-year ODI career
  • NZ's all-time leading ODI wicket-taker (125)
  • Played 103 ODIs and four World Cups
  • Named in 2023 ICC ODI Team of the Year
  • Will continue playing T20Is
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New Zealand women's cricketer Lea Tahuhu announces retirement from ODIs

New Zealand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu announces ODI retirement, ending a 103-match career as the White Ferns' all-time leading wicket-taker.

"I'll treasure every moment and walk away from the ODI game incredibly proud of what I've been able to achieve. - Lea Tahuhu"

Wellington, March 8

New Zealand women's cricket team fast bowler Lea Tahuhu has announced her retirement from the One-Day International cricket after 15 years with the team, as per the New Zealand Cricket website.

Since debuting in ODIs at age 20 against Australia in Brisbane during the 2011 series, the Canterbury pacer has played 103 matches for New Zealand and retires as the White Ferns' all-time leading ODI wicket-taker, with 125 wickets.

Tahuhu is among 12 players to have appeared in over 100 ODIs for the New Zealand women's cricket team and has competed in four World Cups, including the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup held in New Zealand.

She has consistently ranked among the top ten ODI bowlers, was widely regarded as the world's fastest bowler at her peak, and was named to the ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year in 2023 following an outstanding season.

Tahuhu expressed that representing the team in ODIs has been a huge honour, and she feels proud and grateful to have played over 100 matches for her country, treasuring every moment of her career in the format.

"It's always been a privilege and honour to pull on the White Ferns shirt in ODI cricket. To get one game was an amazing feeling. To have been able to wear the shirt and represent my country and my family over 100 times in ODI cricket is something I never could have dreamt of. I'll treasure every moment and walk away from the ODI game incredibly proud of what I've been able to achieve in the format," she said as quoted by the New Zealand Cricket website.

Tahuhu, who played her final ODI against England at the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in India, said she is excited to continue contributing in T20Is and aims to help the team defend their 2024 T20 World Cup title in England later this year.

"There's plenty of exciting things ahead and I'm looking forward to continuing to contribute to this team in the T20 format. Winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 was a huge achievement and I'm really motivated to be over in England later this year to help this team defend our title," she said.

Tahuhu will remain eligible for selection in the White Ferns' T20 squad and is expected to be included in the team for the T20I series against South Africa, with the squad set to be announced on Tuesday.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Respect from India! She was a genuine fast bowler, something rare in women's cricket. Saw her bowl in the 2022 World Cup here, real pace and aggression. Happy retirement from the 50-over format.
A
Aditya G
15 years of service is no joke. She's been a constant for NZ. While her retirement is a loss for ODI cricket, it's great she's continuing in T20s. Hope she gets a proper farewell series.
S
Sarah B
Her statement is so humble and full of gratitude. "To get one game was an amazing feeling" – shows the true spirit of playing for your country. A role model for young cricketers everywhere.
K
Karthik V
A bit sad her final ODI was in India and we didn't get to see a big send-off from the crowd. But 103 matches, 4 World Cups... legendary stuff. The focus on T20s makes sense with the World Cup coming up.
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Nikhil C
With respect, I feel the article could have highlighted more about her impact beyond stats—like how she inspired a generation of pace bowlers. But anyway, congratulations on a fantastic ODI career, Lea!

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