Heather Knight will retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing women’s Test against India at Lord’s. The 35-year-old, who is the most capped women’s player of England, revealed the decision on Saturday.
Knight joins team-mate Tammy Beaumont in stepping away from the international game during the historic match. Both batters are set to walk out for one final innings before the Test concludes.
Heather Knight’s England career by numbers
Knight made her England debut in 2010 and has gone on to play 320 international matches across all three formats. She has scored 7988 runs for her country, including six centuries. Her hundred at Canberra during the 2020 T20 World Cup made her the first English cricketer, male or female, to score centuries in Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
Knight was England’s captain for 199 matches between 2016 and 2025, which she won in 134 of those. Knight’s term as captain started after taking the role from Charlotte Edwards, who is now the head coach of England.
Knight’s greatest achievement as a captain came in the summer of 2017 at Lord’s, where England defeated India in the final of the 50-over World Cup. She stepped down as captain following England’s Ashes defeat in Australia last winter.
Injuries disrupted her last years as a player. The calf muscle injury she sustained during the 2024 T20 World Cup match helped in England’s exit against the West Indies in the tournament, while a tendon injury in the hamstring kept her away from playing in a home summer last year.
Although she made just 6 runs in the first innings of the Lord’s Test, she had proved that she was still capable of performing at the highest level during the T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa last week, making 58 runs off 47 balls in a 133-run partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Knight reflects on 16-year career
Knight commented that the England changing room had been an ever-present feature of her life for the past 16 years and that she was grateful to her teammates, coaches, and support staff who have been pivotal in shaping her career. She gave special credit to the medical staff for ensuring that she remained physically strong enough to be able to play over 300 matches and expressed gratitude to the fans for making women’s cricket the success that it has become.
Knight’s next role will be off the field. She has been appointed general manager at London Spirit ahead of the new Hundred season, which begins later this month.
ECB pays tribute to Knight’s leadership
According to England Women’s managing director Clare Connor, Knight’s input into the sport has been remarkable, citing the role she played as both a player and leader. Connor further stated that Knight was instrumental in shaping not only the team but also the game during this era in its history.
The ECB chairman, Richard Thompson, complimented Knight, saying she was a benchmark for women’s cricket, as it is rare for any player to play for their nation for 16 years. According to him, Knight had earned her respect both as a cricketer and as a leader.
Currently, England find themselves lagging by 269 runs at the end of the second day of the Test at Lord’s, with Knight having two more days to play for England before hanging up her international boots.
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