Leah Poulton retires from one day international cricket

Australia's Leah Poulton has today announced her retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket. Poulton will continue to be available for selection for T20 International cricket and will also continue to play domestic cricket for the Lend Lease Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL).

Poulton made her international debut for Australia in a T20 match in the Rose Bowl Series against New Zealand in October 2006. Her ODI debut came in that same series and she went on to play two Tests and 48 ODIs for Australia and has so far notched 40 T20Is.

Throughout the course of her ODI career the 28-year-old amassed a total of 1033 runs at an average of 25.19. In only her third ODI she made a series-clinching century for Australia, with her knock of 101 sealing the Rose Bowl Series 3-0 for her nation, with two games to spare.

While her international debut was against New Zealand in the Rose Bowl Series of 2006, Poulton's final ODI was also against New Zealand in the recent 2012 Rose Bowl Series on 19 December this year, in which Australia recorded a seven-run win.

Poulton said the decision to retire from ODIs did not come easy.

"I've been really lucky to have played with some greats of the game, such as Karen Rolton and Shelley Nitschke. When I first started playing I looked up to those players and I was lucky enough to eventually play alongside them and learn a great deal from them,? Poulton said.

"I'm really excited about where cricket is heading with the T20 format. A few years ago T20 cricket really invigorated my love for the game and if it hadn't been for T20, I may have retired sooner. I still enjoy T20 cricket today as much as I did when it first came along and I'm looking forward to the next few years of my career playing T20 and being a part of successful Australian sides.?

Women's National Selection Panel (WNSP) Chair Julie Savage said: "Leah has been a very good ODI player for Australia and the WNSP are pleased she will continue to be available for T20 cricket in the Australian colours.

"She will be remembered as a hard-hitting batter who loved to find the boundaries and did so often," Savage said.