England Spinner Alex Hartley To Retire From Professional Cricket At The Age Of 29, Says 'I'm Going To Really Miss It'

England left-arm spinner, Alex Hartley is to retire from professional cricket after the end of the current the Hundred season. The 29-year-old won the 2017 ODI World Cup with the English squad.

Earlier this year, Alex Hartley took a break from cricket and only took part for the Thunder in regional cricket. A few days back she said that she was struggling with her mental health and lost confidence in her bowling attack.

However, after returning from the break Alex Hartley took part in three games for the Welsh Fire in the Hundred and picked three wickets.

Meanwhile, Welsh Fire confirmed their place in the knockout stage of the tournament, which means the 29-year-old will be playing her last cricket match in the eliminator match on Saturday (August 26) at The Oval, or in the final on Sunday (August 27) at Lord’s, only if Hatley’s side manage to move ahead and guarantee their place in the last of the tournament.

Alex Hartley has already excelled in her career as a cricket expert and broadcaster as she co-hosts the No Balls-the BBC podcast along with Kate Coss and first decided to speak about her decision to leave professional cricket after the end of the Hundred in her show.

The 29-year-old decided to play a farewell match for the Thunder, however, it got canceled after the left arm decided that the time was not right.

I’m hanging my boots up: Alex Hartley

While revealing her retirement from cricket, Hatley said that she loved playing for the Welsh Fire in the Hundred and that every team member and staff were really supportive in the last few months.

Alex Hartley further added that she will be missing the game but is also excited about it. The 29-year-old revealed that she has been thinking about the decision for a long time.

“I’m hanging my boots up – I am officially retiring from cricket. I’ve absolutely loved it at Welsh Fire, every single second of it. The staff have been really supportive, they’ve been great over the last month. And I don’t want to play 50-over cricket. I’m really, really excited. I’m going to really miss it. I’m going to be really sad – but it’s right, isn’t it? I’ve been thinking about it for ages,” Alex Hartley said.

Alex Hartley is to retire from professional cricket.

Hartley made 32 England appearances and was a World Cup winner in 2017 ?

All the best, Alex! ? pic.twitter.com/XyGYmCHSis

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 22, 2023

Between 2016 and 2019, Alex Hartley took part in 28 50-over matches and four T20Is and clinched the 2017 ODI World Cup which is considered one of the best moments in her career.

In the 50-over World Cup, she was the second-highest wicket-taker and displayed a stupendous performance for England, she also picked India skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur’s wicket in the final match of the tournament at Lord’s.