White Ferns fast bowler Lea Tahuhu has announced her retirement from one-day international cricket, calling time on a 15‑year career that saw her become New Zealand’s all‑time leading ODI wicket‑taker.
Tahuhu made her ODI debut as a 20‑year‑old against Australia in Brisbane in 2011 and went on to represent New Zealand 103 times, one of only 12 White Ferns to reach the 100‑match milestone. She finished with 125 ODI wickets, the most by any New Zealand woman.
The Canterbury pacer featured at four Cricket World Cups, including the 2022 tournament on home soil, and was widely regarded at her peak as the fastest bowler in the women’s game. She was named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year in 2023 after a standout season.
Tahuhu said the time was right to step down from the longer format of the game.
"It’s always been a privilege and honour to pull on the White Ferns shirt in ODI cricket,” she said.
"To get one game was an amazing feeling. To have been able to wear the shirt and represent my country and my family over 100 times in ODI cricket is something I never could have dreamt of."
She said she was now focused on contributing in T20 cricket, where she remained a key member of the world champion White Ferns side.
"There’s plenty of exciting things ahead and I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute to this team in the T20 format," she said.
"Winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 was a huge achievement and I’m really motivated to be over in England later this year to help this team defend our title."
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer described Tahuhu's contributions to the game as "significant".
"Lea has operated at the top of the women’s ODI game for 15 years, which is a huge achievement for a pace bowler," he said.
"Lea’s pace has always been a strength, but her competitiveness and drive to push this team forward has stood out and that has rubbed off on the younger bowlers who are now coming through and learning their craft in the ODI game."
Tahuhu's record in ODIs spoke for itself, he added.
"Stepping down from a format as your country’s all-time leading wicket-taker is some achievement that Lea should be very proud of. Lea has scaled the heights of the ODI game and has set new bowling standards in the format for the White Ferns."
Tahuhu remained available for T20 selection and will be named in the squad for the upcoming series against South Africa.
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