Lauren Down announce retirement on her cricket career

Eight years after making her New Zealand debut, Lauren Down has left the game. Down, a middle-order batter, is just 30, but last got in a New Zealand XI in December 2024, in an ODI against Australia, and last played a T20I in December 2022. In a statement released by New Zealand Cricket, Down said, "I have loved my time being part of the White Ferns group, and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have represented my country." "I will miss being around the girls, but I'm now looking forward to watching on from the sidelines, and seeing what this group is able to achieve." An Auckland player throughout her domestic career, which began in 2011 in a T20 against Canterbury, Down went on to represent Auckland on 202 occasions (101 List A matches and 101 T20s). Down ends her career as third on Auckland's list of top T20 run-scorers (1496), and fourth on the corresponding list for List A (2690). Down was part of five successful Hallyburton Johnstone Shield campaigns, most recently in 2019-20, where she scored 90 in the final to help Auckland defeat Northern Districts. Down stated, "I cannot thank Auckland Cricket, my coaches, and team-mates enough for the part they have played in my journey." "A huge part of my cricket career has been in the Auckland set up." Prior to that, in a March 2018 ODI in Lincoln against the West Indies, the international debut had been made. Down went on to feature in 35 ODIs and 13 T20Is for New Zealand, scoring 486 runs in ODIs at an average of 16.75, and 93 in T20Is at an average of 13.28. "Lauren has been a fantastic team person, and has always given her all in the White Ferns environment," New Zealand Women's head coach Ben Sawyer said. "It's a testament to her dedication and commitment to her game that she was able to go away to welcome her first child, and then return to the level of international cricket so quickly. Lauren has always exemplified the values of our team, both inside and outside of the environment. She has been a valued member of the White Ferns." Down opted out of a central contract for the 2023-24 season to welcome her first child, before returning to the 2024-25 list and featuring on the 2024 tours of England and India. She represented New Zealand for what would be the final time in the third ODI against Australia at Basin Reserve last summer.