'Perfect occasion to sign off' - Beaumont announces England retirement

Tammy Beaumont has announced she will retire from international cricket at the end of the Rothesay Test match against India, live on Sky Sports.

Beaumont, who has made 260 appearances for her country since debuting in 2009, retires as England Women's leading ODI centurion with 12 hundreds to her name.

She was also Player of the Tournament as England lifted the ICC Women's World Cup on home soil in 2017, finishing as top scorer across the tournament with 410 runs.

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Beaumont is one of only two English women - and five English players - to have scored an international hundred in all three formats of the game, previously becoming the first English woman to score a Test double-century with a memorable 208 at Trent Bridge in the 2023 Women's Ashes.

"Playing for England for nearly 17 years has been the greatest honour," Beaumont said. "When I fell in love with playing cricket as a young girl, I barely knew that playing cricket for England was an option.

"It brings me so much joy to think how many girls and boys have been inspired, this summer especially, and how far the game has come in our country. We've always wanted to take the cap forward for the next generation and the time has come for me to hand over that privilege to the next generation of England players.

"This Test match at Lord's - our first ever women's Test at Lord's - feels like the perfect occasion to sign off on a career that I could never have dreamt would be as special as it has been. I will still be playing domestic cricket, but I'd like to thank all the fans for your amazing support.

"I'd also like to say thank you to all the coaches and support staff who I've worked with over the years, to my teammates who I've shared so many amazing moments with, and to my friends and family - I couldn't have got this far without your love and support all these years."

Beaumont to retire after 'stellar international career'

The 35-year-old was among the first players to receive an England Women's Central Contract in 2015 and has been an integral part of the England squad - across all three formats - during her lengthy career.

"Tammy (Beaumont) has made a remarkable contribution to the England Women's cricket team and we will miss her incredibly," said Clare Connor, managing director of England Women.

"It is impossible to put into words or measure the impact Tammy has had on our sport. She played her first few years for England as an amateur, one of only a few players left whose international careers were forged through extraordinary levels of devotion and commitment and love of the game.

"The weight of runs she went on to score for England at the top of the order has put her in the category of one of the game's great batters. I know how much it has meant to Tammy to pull on the three lions and to help England win.

"She has always remained connected to the grassroots of the game and why she herself started playing. In so doing, she has been a wonderful role model, always wanting to inspire the next generation. Tammy should be so proud of a stellar international career and we wish her every success and happiness as she leaves the England dressing room."

More to follow...

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