Three-time World Cup winner Laura Marsh retires from international cricket

Marsh ends her career as the most successful England Women spinner ever, with 217 international wickets. She was also famously a part of three World Cup-winning teams, lifting the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2009 and 2017, and the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 trophy at Lord’s, also in 2009, just three months after lifting the 50-over trophy at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Marsh made her international debut in the first of two Tests against India in 2006. She took four wickets in the match, including a 3/44 in the second innings, making her England’s most successful bowler, as they nearly clinched victory, reducing India to 187/8 in their chase of 271.

Though she had played that match as a seamer, injuries forced her to take up off-spin in 2007, and she practised the art until the end of her career.

Marsh was one of the driving forces behind England’s World Cup win in 2009, snaring 16 wickets to top the tournament charts. That included 5/15 against Pakistan that remained her career-best one-day figures. Her performances earned her a place in the ICC tournament XI.

She likewise played a major role in the World T20 triumph that followed, finishing behind Holly Colvin as England’s second-highest wicket-taker, with six scalps, while giving away runs at just 3.40 an over.

Marsh, who has three international half-centuries – one in each of the formats – has also opened the batting, when she was promoted to do so on the 2010/11 tour of Australia. She responded with 121 runs in five matches as England prevailed 4-1. Her only half-century in Test cricket was a 304-ball 55, as she spent 343 minutes at the crease to limit Australia’s first-innings lead to 17 in the drawn Test of the 2013 Ashes series in England. In June this year, Marsh won her 100th ODI cap during the second ICC Women’s Championship ODI against West Indies. She received her cap from former England batter Lydia Greenway.

Commemorating Marsh on a successful career, Clare Connor, the ECB managing director for women’s cricket, said: "Laura has been a fantastic servant to English cricket and we're so grateful for everything she has contributed over a career spanning 13 years. Her record ranks amongst the very best bowlers in the history of our game, but the stats are only one part of her impact.

“She’ll be remembered by those who have played with her and worked with her for her kindness, her loyalty and her relentless desire to improve. Laura was softly spoken but fiercely determined to play her part for the team.

"Not many cricketers in the world have won three World Cups, and these are wonderful memories that Laura takes into retirement with her. She's been the complete team player and a role model for England women’s cricket, and she will be missed."