Lydia Greenway retires from international cricket

Four-time Women's Ashes and double World Cup-winner Lydia Greenway has announced her retirement from international cricket with England.

The 30-year-old made her England debut in the first Women's Ashes Test of the 2003 tour to Australia and went on to represent her country a further 224 times, scoring over 4,000 international runs and taking a total of 121 international catches, over a 13-year span.

Greenway said: "During recent discussions with [England coach] Mark Robinson about his focus on developing new players against Pakistan this summer, it became clear that my involvement with the England team might be limited moving forwards. 

"Whilst in the past I have been in a similar position and have fought for my place, I now feel that at this stage in my life, it's time to take a step back and retire from international cricket with immediate effect, allowing the next generation of players to develop on the world stage."

ECB director of England women's cricket Clare Connor had high praise for Greenway, saying: "Lydia has made an immense contribution to the England women's cricket team over the past 13 years.

"A member of the 2009 team that lifted two World Cups in the space of six months and a member of the 2005, 2008, 2013 and 2014 Ashes-winning teams, she should be incredibly proud of her numerous contributions to England success."

Greenway will continue to play domestic cricket, representing the Southern Vipers in the inaugural Kia Super League this summer, as well as playing for Kent in the Royal London Women's One-Day Championship. 

She follows England captain Charlotte Edwards in retiring from the international game.

Edwards tweeted her own tribute to Greenway, writing: "Congratulations to @lydiagreenway on a brilliant England career. Wonderful batter,fielder, team person and friend."