Photo Credit: Sportsfile
It’s been more than 12 years since Shauna Kavanagh made her international debut – one of only nine players to achieve 100 or more caps for Ireland Women. She will retire from international cricket at the end of today’s T20 International against The Netherlands.
Dublin-born Kavanagh, 31, played 110 times for Ireland, including 27 one-day internationals and 58 T20 internationals. Renowned for her athletic fielding, she developed a new skill in wicketkeeping late in her career. Kavanagh scored 877 runs, took 21 outfield catches and claimed six dismissals behind the stumps.
She will continue to play for her beloved club, Pembroke Cricket Club, and with the Scorchers in the Evoke Super Series, but she believes that now is the right time to step away from international duties. She said:
“The decision to retire from international cricket is something I have been thinking about for a little while and now feels like the right time to finish my playing journey with Ireland. Playing cricket for Ireland has been a significant part of my life for a very long time and there is no doubt this will be an emotional transition.
“My international career has been a hugely rewarding journey and I am incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and experiences I have had. I would like to thank the staff at Cricket Ireland for their continuous support, particularly all the support staff I have worked with over the years.
“I would like to thank my family and friends, particularly my husband Dale, my parents Deirdre and Colin, my step-mum Tara and my sister Ana. They have been relentless in their belief in me and their support has been unwavering even through the most challenging times. I would also like to thank Pembroke Cricket Club for giving me the platform to become an international cricketer and for providing me with the most incredible cricketing family.
“Lastly, I would like to thank my teammates, past and present. The friends and memories I have made will be with me forever and I feel very lucky to have played alongside so many amazing people. I want to wish Laura, Ed and the rest of the squad the very best and I look forward to supporting Irish cricket for many years to come.”
Ed Joyce, Ireland Women’s head coach, said:
“Shauna is the quintessential team-player, a hard-working professional who was always seeking to improve and grow her game. Even to make the decision to develop wicketkeeping skills late in her career exemplifies how she always had one eye on the team’s needs, and with hard work has become a really proficient keeper.
“She will be missed greatly, but will continue to feature in the Super Series where she can share her experience and knowledge with the next crop of players coming through the system.”
Laura Delany, Ireland Women’s captain, said:
“It’s hard for me to imagine no longer playing in the Green with Shauna – she is not only a great teammate but one of my best friends away from the game. We spent a season together playing grade cricket in Sydney which was a memorable time in both our lives, and our international careers have run parallel for over a decade.
“Shauna is a brilliant role model for younger players coming through, I don’t know many players who can say they have kept wicket, batted and bowled for Ireland but she has done all three. She is highly respected by everyone in this squad for her work ethic, commitment to the team and the passion and support she’s shown her teammates over the years. She will be missed both on and off the pitch.”
Richard Holdsworth, High Performance Director at Cricket Ireland, said:
“Shauna’s dedication, determination and professional attitude was always a combination of qualities that made her a consistent member of the senior squad – and indeed, much of the reason she was one of the first group of players to be offered playing contracts when they first became a reality.
“Her longevity in international cricket was not only down to what she brought to the on-field, but also the off-field. The consummate team-player, she was an important part of the senior leadership team and will be a loss to the squad. We’d like to thank Shauna for her enthusiasm and commitment to the cause of pushing standards forward as women’s cricket in Ireland continues to grow and evolve.”
