Australian women's cricket legend Karen Rolton retires

CRICKET AUSTRALIA

One of Australia’s most decorated players, former Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars captain Karen Rolton, has today announced her retirement from international cricket after a recording-breaking 14-year career.

Rolton retires as one of the legends of Australian cricket after 141 one-day internationals (ODIs), 14 Tests and 15 Twenty20 Internationals. Her ODI match tally is a record for women’s cricket, and she retires just 30 runs short of the all-time ODI scoring mark (4844) held by former teammate Belinda Clark.

Her career also included two World Cup winners’ medals (1997 and 2005), with a superb 107 not out in the final of the 2005 Women’s World Cup earning Rolton the player of the match award and helping Australia to a 98-run victory.

Karen Rolton said:

“I've been in good form in this year's WNCL competition, but with my ongoing knee problems it would be difficult to perform consistently at the high level needed to play for Australia in international cricket including the ICC World Twenty20.

“I've thoroughly enjoyed representing Australia but I've decided the time is right to leave the international scene although I plan to still be available at the interstate level. I'd like to thank Cricket Australia and my past teammates, family, friends and sponsors for their great support over so many years.”

Cricket Australia Chairman Jack Clarke said:

“Karen Rolton set the standard in the women’s game for more than a decade and retires as one of the legends of Australian cricket.”

“Her performances on the international stage can’t be downplayed. For 14 years she dominated opposing teams in an unmatched era for Australian women’s cricket.

“While the statistics speak for themselves, Australian cricket also thanks Karen for her unwavering commitment to the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars, the sacrifices she made to represent her country, and the manner in which she conducted herself at all times throughout her career.

“She leaves a legacy which others should strive to match.”

With England’s Claire Taylor, Rolton shares the record for the most centuries scored by a woman (eight) in ODIs and her average of 48.14 in the 50-over format is the highest for anyone who has played more than 35 matches.

Captain from 2006 to 2009, Rolton presided over a period of transition for Australian women’s cricket but still led the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars to 30 wins from 43 one-day internationals, eight from 13 Twenty20 Internationals and one victory from two Tests.

She retires as Australia’s second-longest serving women’s captain, with only Clark leading the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars on more occasions.

Rolton was also a highly-effective left-arm seamer before knee problems limited her bowling duties. Remarkably, she currently sits third on Australia’s all-time wicket-takers’ list (85) in ODI cricket with an average of 20.81.

Her record in Tests is equally impressive. She is the Australia’s highest run scorer (1002), holds the Australian record for the highest individual score (209*) and is one of six women in history to score a Test double century.

In a career littered with accolades, Rolton was the International Cricket Council’s inaugural female player of the year in 2006 and was Australia’s women’s player of the year a record four times (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006).