White Ferns all-rounder Thamsyn Newton announces retirement

New Zealand all-rounder Thamsyn Newton has brought her cricketing career to a close, finishing a 14-year journey during which she represented the White Ferns twice in ICC World Cups and off the back of several domestic titles.

Newton, 30, made her international debut in 2015 in a T20I against Sri Lanka, and gave a tidy bowling performance before making her ODI debut in 2016 against Australia, taking the wicket of opening batter Nicole Bolton. The Kiwi played 10 ODIs and 15 T20Is, taking 11 and nine wickets respectively. Her best ODIs include a five-wicket haul against Pakistan, and her best T20I figures of 3/9 came in just her third game.

Overall, opportunities with the bat were limited for Newton, scoring 57 runs in ODIs and 22 in T20Is during her international career. In the domestic space, Newton was known for her big hitting, so it was surprising she didn't clear the boundary in her T20I career. Her last ODI match was in 2017, and her last T20I match was in 2021.

 Domestic Success and International Experience

Newton was a constant presence in New Zealand’s domestic tournaments. She won the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield once with both Canterbury and Wellington. She won the Super Smash four times with Wellington. Her last professional appearance was between the Central Districts in the Women’s One-Day Competition. In that match, she failed to score a run and didn’t bowl.

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The all-rounder had a brief period in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League representing Perth Scorchers in the 2017/18 season. She scored 50 runs in eight innings and took six wickets at an average of 23.33.

A Capacity Athlete and a Valued Competitor

In addition to her cricket, Newton has once again demonstrated her versatility as an athlete by playing rugby for Wellington Pride and Hawke's Bay Tui in the Farah Palmer Cup. Showing that she is a multi-talented athlete.

From making her White Ferns debut to lifting several trophies on the domestic scene, Newton's career has been one of consistency, flexibility, and competition. Her international numbers do not begin to express the value she added to the teams she played for; her contribution (in terms of ball in hand and fielding) will stay in New Zealand women's cricket.

When Newton leaves, she will have memories to treasure, she will have trophies, and she will have the admiration of her teammates and supporters alike - a fitting legacy for a loyal and versatile participant.