West Indies Women’s cricket star all-rounder Deandra Dottin has called
time on her career for the West Indies, citing concerns of team culture for
the snap decision. The 31-year-old all-rounder took to Twitter to make the
announcement late on July 31 evening in Birmingham, where she is on
Commonwealth Games duty with Barbados.
In her statement, addressed to Cricket West Indies, Dottin acknowledged organisational
troubles for the decision.
“This announcement has come with much contemplation as cricket has always been a
passion of mine. However, when the fire burns out, one has to take time to reassess their
commitment,” the post read. “There have been many obstacles during my cricket career
that I have had to overcome however, the current climate and team environment has
been non-conductive to my ability to thrive and reignite my passion. “With much sadness
but without regret, I realise that I am no longer able to adhere to team culture and team
environment as it has undermined my ability to perform excellently.”
Dottin has played in more than 260 internationals across the two white-ball formats,
making in excess of 6000 runs and taking over 130 wickets. The all-rounder was at
her world-class best at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup earlier this year in New
Zealand, showing nerves of steel to close out the tournament
opener against the hosts with the ball, before taking one
of the greatest catches in any global tournament against
England to remove Lauren Winfield-Hill with a full stretch
dive to her left.
The right-hander retires as the second-highest run-scorer
for the West Indies in both women’s ODIs and T20Is, and
fourth on the wicket-takers list for the side in the shorter
format. Dottin holds the record as the scorer of the fastest
century in Women’s T20Is. There was no indication
in her statement that she has retired from any other
team barring West Indies. She is currently representing
Barbados at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham,
and said in her retirement announcement that she is “looking
forward to playing domestic cricket around the world.”
Whether that includes the
inaugural Women’s CPL that
begins on August 30 and at which
she is set to captain the Trinbago
Knight Riders in the three-team
tournament now remains to be
seen. The tournament will be
played under the auspices of
Cricket West Indies. Dottin is
also scheduled to appear for the
Manchester originals in the 2022
second season of the UK hosted
Hundred!