Hayley Jensen, one of New Zealand’s most tenacious allrounders, has officially announced her retirement from international cricket. Her 11-year journey with the national side was marked by passion, resilience, and impactful performances that made her a respected figure in the game.
Jensen made her debut in 2014 against the West Indies in both ODIs and T20Is. Over the years, she featured in 88 international matches — 35 One-Day Internationals and 53 T20 Internationals — amassing 484 runs (296 in ODIs and 188 in T20Is) and taking 76 wickets (28 in ODIs and 48 in T20Is) for her country.
Her consistency and fighting spirit saw her become a regular in the New Zealand setup, particularly after her selection in the 2018 ICC T20 World Cup. She was an integral part of the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup squad and featured in four ICC T20 World Cups (2014, 2018, 2020, 2023). One of her standout performances came in the 2020 T20 World Cup when she earned Player of the Match honors against Sri Lanka for a stellar spell of 3 for 16.
She was also a cornerstone in New Zealand’s bronze-winning campaign at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, taking 3 for 24 in the decisive match against England.
As she reflects on her journey, Jensen shared a deeply personal account of her cricketing dream. Introducing her childhood inspiration, she said, “Ever since I was 10 years old, I came home from my first cricket tournament and knew I wanted to be a WHITE FERN.”
Jensen acknowledged the challenges and growth that came with the ride, adding, “It’s been an incredible journey — filled with challenges, growth, unforgettable experiences, and the best group of people I could’ve hoped to share it with.”
She also spoke about the emotional weight of making her decision, “It’s never easy to move on from something that’s meant this much, but I know in my heart it’s time.”
Finally, she expressed pride in her contribution to New Zealand cricket, “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and even prouder to have been part of the WHITE FERNS environment.”
New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer was quick to laud Jensen’s service and impact. Acknowledging her contribution, he said, “I want to congratulate Hayley on a fantastic international career and thank her for her contributions to the WHITE FERNS environment.”
He also highlighted her dual strengths, “Hayley has made key contributions to the team with both bat and ball on the field and always brought a genuine passion and love for the game. We wish her all the best for whatever the future holds.”
Jensen’s last international appearances were in late 2022 and early 2023 — her final ODI coming against Bangladesh in December 2022, and her last T20I versus South Africa in February 2023.
In ODIs, Jensen bagged 28 wickets in 33 innings, delivering with an economy of 4.94 and a best of 3/32. In the shorter format, her T20I career was equally impactful, snaring 48 wickets in 48 innings, with a best of 3/5 and an impressive average of 20.54.
Whether she chooses to continue at the domestic level or not, Hayley Jensen’s legacy as a determined and dependable servant of New Zealand cricket is firmly etched in history. Her journey stands as a powerful reminder of what it means to live your childhood dream — and to walk away fulfilled.
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