NZ woman fast bowler Lea Tahuhu retires from ODI cricket

Veteran New Zealand fast bowler Lea Tahuhu on Sunday announced her retirement from Women’s ODI cricket.

The 35-year-old Tahuhu drew curtains on a 15-year career, finishing with 125 wickets from 103 matches, a record for the New Zealand Women’s ODI team.

She made her debut against Australia in June, 2011.

Tahuhu went on to feature in four Women’s ODI World Cups (2013, 2017, 2022 and 2025).

Her match against England in last year’s World Cup was her final ODI for New Zealand.

In World Cups alone, Tahuhu picked up 36 wickets, a record for New Zealand, and the ninth best on the all-time charts.

“It’s always been a privilege and honour to pull on the White Ferns shirt in ODI cricket,” Tahuhu said in a statement issued by New Zealand 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.”

Tahuhu, however, will continue in the T20 format and desires to defend the T20 World Cup title for New Zealand in the upcoming edition of the event to be held in England and Wales.

“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.