Alex Blackwell to bring an end to her playing career post WBBL

Alex Blackwell to bring an end to her playing career post WBBL

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After almost two decades of glittering career, Alex Blackwell has decided to bring curtains down on her career after the conclusion of the current edition of Women's Big Bash League. Blackwell is Australia's most capped international player and captained the team to the 2010 World T20 victory.

One of the most recognised names in women's cricket and Australia's cricketing legend Alex Blackwell is celebrated in the cricketing community, not just for her impact to the national team as a solid all-rounder but also for her impact as a leader on the current crop of players like Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning. After taking over the role of the skipper from Jodie Fields in 2010, Blackwell scored a magnificent 61 as Australia beat India in the semi-final to qualify for the final against New Zealand.

To make up for her duck in the final, she produced an outstanding performance in the field, taking catches to dismiss opposing skipper Aimee Watkins and the dangerous Rachel Priest, and running out Sara McGlashan, as New Zealand fell short. However, her form recently has taken a turn for the worse and she has struggled badly in the ongoing WBBL, leaving her to announce her retirement from the sport.

"I'd decided before the match that I was going to retire. It's got to come to an end at some point. There's been many highlights, but what's been really cool is watching the next generation of Thunder players grabbing their opportunities. It's been very special to be a part of that - I'm really satisfied,"  Blackwell said after the game in which she scored 65 against Melbourne  Stars, ending her barren run of form.

"I've been really happy with mentoring out in the middle. I had an opportunity against the Stars to bat with [16-year-old] Phoebe Litchfield and Saskia Horley. It was good to talk to them about what the good options were to go to - and to help clarify in their minds what was on, and where to back themselves."

Blackwell also holds the record for the most matches and most runs for the Sydney Thunder, men or women, and said that the last-ball defeat to Brisbane Heat in the finals last year was what drove her to keep going into a record 19th season that she eventually did. However, she thought it was a prudent time for her to draw the curtain on her playing career.

"I was heartbroken, but also amazed, by last year's semi-final. I, well, a little bit selfishly... thought to myself, 'I've worked so hard to get to this point and contributed to cricket for a long period of time for it to reach this point. I thought the WBBL was an amazing competition to be a part of and decided I could go again - and I'm pleased I did. It's been good fun, and I've enjoyed supporting Rachael Haynes because I think she's led the team very well."

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