One of Wellington cricket’s most dedicated servants has finally called it a day.

Wellington Blaze batter Liz Perry officially announced her retirement from cricket at the Dream11 Super Smash Grand Final at the Basin Reserve, bringing to an end a career that has spanned 18 years.

“The grand final at the Basin was such a special occasion and to be able to bring my career to an end after an event like that with the Blaze making it three in a row and the Firebirds winning too was awesome,” said the former WHITE FERNS batter.

“I’ve been so lucky to be able to play at the top level for such a long time, to represent my country and Wellington has been a real privilege.”

Perry, who announced her retirement to her teammates after the Grand Final victory, began her career in 2002 for Central Districts before moving to Wellington in 2005 where she captained the Blaze between 2016 and 2019.

The top-order batter played 196 matches for the Wellington Blaze, scoring 3,441 runs.

She tops the honours boards in the Blaze changing rooms in both T20 (81) and List A (115) appearances and is the second highest List A run-scorer for Wellington (2465).

Perry lifted six T20 titles with the Blaze, including an unprecedented three-peat in 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20.

On the international stage Perry made 48 appearances for the WHITE FERNS scoring 570 runs and was part of the side that made the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final in 2010.

She also had a two-year stint overseas playing for English county side Yorkshire between 2010 and 2012.

Perry praised the development of the women’s game and said she was leaving the women’s game in Wellington in a very good place.

“It’s been great to see how much the women’s game has grown in New Zealand and around the world in recent years,” she said.

“There are so many opportunities for women in the game now and it’s exciting to see where the game will grow over the next five to ten years.

“I’m so lucky to be able to leave the Blaze environment in such a great place – three T20 titles in a row shows the level this team has reached and there are so many talented players coming through that will go on to have great careers for Wellington and hopefully New Zealand too.”

Cricket Wellington CEO Cam Mitchell emphasized Perry’s dedication to cricket in Wellington.

“Liz has been a stalwart of women’s cricket in Wellington since she arrived in 2005,” said Cricket Wellington CEO Cam Mitchell.

“Her passion and love for the game is obvious and she has been inspirational in leading the growth of the women’s game here in Wellington.

Perry may be finally putting down the bat, but she certainly won’t be lost to cricket.

She will continue her role as General Manager of Cricket Wellington, where she has worked since 2017.

“It’s a really exciting time for Cricket Wellington,” she said.

“Cricket is on a really positive trajectory at all levels of the game in the Capital and I think the amount of people that came out to the grand final double-header showed that.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how the game grows and playing a part in inspiring the next generation of young cricketers coming through.”

Article added: Thursday 30 January 2020