Hayley Jensen bids adieu to international cricket after an 11-year career

New Zealand all-rounder Hayley Jensen drew the curtains down on her international career after 11 years. The 32-year-old represented the White Ferns in 35 ODIs and 53 T20Is, having received her maiden cap on February 22, 2014, against the West Indies at Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln.

The Christchurch-born was part of four T20 World Cup squads - finishing as New Zealand's highest wicket-taker at the 2020 edition in Australia - and also the 2022 ODI World Cup on home soil. Her last ODI appearance came on December 17, 2022, versus Bangladesh in Hamilton. Meanwhile, she played her last T20I on February 13, 2023, versus South Africa in Paarl. 

In March, she was recalled to the T20I side for a series against Sri Lanka. However, she was later ruled out due to a hip flexor injury. She featured in the 2022 Commonwealth Games, bagging 3/24 in the bronze medal match where New Zealand beat England by eight wickets.

Jensen spoke about fulfilling her childhood dream of playing for the national team and thanked the players she shared the dressing room with during her tenure.

"Ever since I was 10 years old, I came home from my first cricket tournament and knew I wanted to be a White Fern. To have had the chance to live that dream is something I'll always treasure. It's been an incredible journey - filled with challenges, growth, unforgettable experiences, and the best group of people I could've hoped to share it with," Jensen told New Zealand Cricket (NZC). 

"It's never easy to move on from something that's meant this much, but I know in my heart it's time. I'm proud of what we've achieved together and even prouder to have been part of the White Ferns environment," she added.

Always brought a genuine passion and love for the game: New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer

New Zealand coach Ben Sawyer appreciated Jensen's contributions to New Zealand, highlighting the value she added in all three facets of the game with her all-around skills.

"I want to congratulate Hayley on a fantastic international career and thank her for her contributions to the White Ferns environment. Hayley has made key contributions to the team with both bat and ball on the field and always brought a genuine passion and love for the game. We wish her all the best for whatever the future holds," Sawyer said.

Jensen, who finished with 1,988 runs and 76 wickets in international cricket, will take a call on whether she would continue playing domestic cricket in the coming days.