Katherine Brunt, England Women’s leading international wicket-taker, on Saturday announced her retirment from Test cricket. The 36-year-old described the decision as a ‘smart one’ and said that she wants to prioritise white-ball cricket. 

Brunt will not represent England when they lock horns with South Africa at Taunton in the one-off Test starting on June 27. She will, however, be available for selection in the limited-overs formats.

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“I feel like as an athlete there is never an obvious time to step away from doing the thing that you love. But over the past two years thoughts of retirement have surfaced more and more, so I’ve decided to make a smart decision rather than an emotional one. Test cricket is my absolute passion and to retire from this format was truly a heart-breaking choice to make, but it allows me to prioritise white-ball cricket,” Brunt said. 

She represented England in 14 Tests and finished with 51 wickets at an average of 21.52. Brunt has three five-wicket hauls against her name. The all-rounder is the third highest wicket-taker for England in Tests and is one among 10 bowlers to bag 50 wickets or more in the format.

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Katherine Brunt made her Test debut in 2004. She took nine wickets and scored a half-century in England’s first Ashes win in 42 years. The all-rounder was named the player of the match. Her last appearance in the whites came against Australia, when she claimed a five-for. Her Test wicket tally in the ninth-highest of all time.

“I know that I leave it in a great place, the bowlers coming through are ready and they’re just itching to be let loose. And with the South Africa game around the corner, I’m very much looking forward to watching them from the best seat in the house,” she added. 

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The director of England Women’s cricket Jonathan Finch said, “Katherine’s passion and commitment was never more evident than when she played Test cricket for England and you only need to watch the last Ashes Test to see her desire, her heart and her undoubted ability with the red ball in hand. She has given everything for England Women in Test cricket and we are fully supportive of her decision to focus on white-ball cricket on the international stage. Katherine can leave the red ball behind knowing she is a true legend in that form of the game and that she has set standards that future generations can only aspire to.”