Ace Hazell Can See The End Of The Road

WITH the book seemingly closed on her playing days, Danielle Hazell is ready to enjoy the simpler things in life.

- Dan Barnes

Spending time with her husband Jake, walking her dogs, helping run a gym – the usual, then.

Last week, the two-time Ashes winner, who was also part of the England team that triumphed in the 2017 World Cup, retired from international cricket at the age of 30 and has no plans to return to the domestic game, either.

The wear and tear – both physical and mental – of a nine-year England career convinced Hazell, who recently returned from a winter spell with the Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash League, that she simply had to bow out on her own terms.

“The Big Bash was four months away from home and I think my body was telling me that I’ve probably had enough cricket,” said Hazell, who took 146 wickets in 141 England appearances and twice stood in as captain.

“I didn’t want to resent cricket, carry on for a few more years and think, ‘cricket’s made my back worse’ and things like that, so I’m still pretty healthy and I’m able to get around.