Heather Knight, a former England captain, has announced her decision to retire from international cricket. This announcement comes as she plays in the ongoing women’s Test against India at Lord’s, marking the end of her illustrious 16-year international career.
Knight, who debuted for England in 2010, has become the most-capped player in the history of England’s women’s cricket, with 320 appearances to her name. During her tenure as captain from 2016 to 2025, she led the team in 199 matches, including the celebrated Women’s World Cup victory on home turf in 2017.
At 35, Knight holds the distinction of being the first England player to score centuries across all three international formats, achieving a T20I hundred in 2020. As she steps into her final Test match, she has amassed a total of 7,988 international runs. Reflecting on her retirement, Knight expressed gratitude for her time with the England team, noting that the dressing room has been a significant part of her life for the past 16 years. She believes that retiring during the historic women’s Test at Lord’s is the perfect moment to exit the international stage.
Clare Connor, the managing director of England Women’s Cricket, lauded Knight’s exceptional contributions, both on-field performances and leadership, which have been pivotal during a transformative era for women’s cricket.
Knight’s announcement comes shortly after her teammate, Tammy Beaumont, also decided to retire following the Lord’s Test, marking a significant moment of transition for the England women’s cricket team.