(Cricket news) Katherine Brunt has announced her retirement from Test cricket. The 36 year old leaves behind a legacy of being England’s leading Test wicket-taker with 51 wickets and will focus her attention on the ODI and T20 formats. She made her debut in 2004 and took nine wickets in the third Test match of her career as well as scoring 52 runs to help Clare Connor's team retain the Women's Ashes after 42 years. She retires having enjoyed the tenth-longest Test career in the history of the women's game.

Speaking about her retirement, Brunt said “I feel like as an athlete there is never an obvious time to step away from doing the thing that you love. But over the past two years thoughts of retirement have surfaced more and more, so I’ve decided to make a smart decision rather than an emotional one. Test cricket is my absolute passion and to retire from this format was truly a heart-breaking choice to make, but it allows me to prioritise white-ball cricket. I know that I leave it in a great place, the bowlers coming through are ready and they’re just itching to be let loose! And with the South Africa game around the corner, I’m very much looking forward to watching them from the best seat in the house."

Jonathan Finch, Director of England Women's cricket, said: "Katherine’s passion and commitment was never more evident than when she played Test cricket for England and you only need to watch the last Ashes Test to see her desire, her heart and her undoubted ability with the red ball in hand. She has given everything for England Women in Test cricket and we are fully supportive of her decision to focus on white-ball cricket on the international stage. Katherine can leave the red ball behind knowing she is a true legend in that form of the game and that she has set standards that future generations can only aspire to."

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