![New Zealand legend retires from ODIs [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772946871158_newzealandpacerretires.jpg?type=hq)
New Zealand legend retires from ODIs [Source: X]
In a significant development, New Zealand's legendary fast bowler Lea Tahuhu announced her retirement. The New Zealand Cricket confirmed Tahuhu's decision to bid adieu to ODIs through an official press release on Sunday morning.
Currently, the New Zealand women's team is engaged in a high-voltage ODI series against Zimbabwe on home soil. The White Ferns registered a clinical three-nil whitewash in the T20I leg before taking an unassailable lead in the three-match ODI series.
Meanwhile, as the hosts swatted aside the visitors by eight wickets in the second ODI, Lea Tahuhu announced her retirement from the 50-over format.
Lea Tahuhu calls time on 15-year ODI career
One of the finest pacers to play for New Zealand, Lea Tahuhu called time on an illustrious ODI career following her side's landslide victory over Zimbabwe Women in Dunedin. The NZC confirmed the development through an official statement.
“It’s always been a privilege and honour to pull on the WHITE FERNS shirt in ODI cricket. 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," Lea Tahuhu said.
“I’ll treasure every moment and walk away from the ODI game incredibly proud of what I’ve been able to achieve in the format," she added.
Lea Tahuhu's ODI career at a glance
Known for her ability to generate prodigious movement off the deck, Lea Tahuhu made her ODI debut against New Zealand's Trans-Tasman rivals, Australia, in Brisbane on June 14 2011.
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The right-arm pacer went on to represent the White Ferns in 103 ODI matches in a 15-year-long career. She bagged 125 wickets at a healthy average of 28.01 and a strike rate of 37, while maintaining a solid economy of 4.54 in Women's ODIs.
Statistically, Tahuhu is the most successful bowler from her country in the ODI format. She is being followed by Amelia Kerr, who has 117 scalps to her name. The 35-year-old scripted several memorable wins for her team, registering three four-wicket hauls and a fifer across 103 matches.
Additionally, Tahuhu is one of New Zealand's most capped players in Women's ODIs, being among twelve legendary cricketers with more than 100 appearances in the format.
She has also featured in four World Cups, including the 2022 edition on home soil. Her final appearance came during the 2025 Women's World Cup, where she bagged ten wickets in six matches at a superb economy of 4.62.
New Zealand Women bag ODI series Vs Zimbabwe
Talking about New Zealand Women, the hosts comfortably steamrolled their Zimbabwean counterparts by eight wickets to seal the ongoing home series. Interestingly, Tahuhu isn't a part of the White Ferns' squad for the series against Zimbabwe.
Batting first, Zimbabwe Women were bowled out for a paltry 102-run total, as Amelia Kerr dismantled them with a seven-wicket haul.
The skipper also hammered 45 runs off just 40 deliveries, helping her side chase the target inside 17 overs. The final ODI of the series will be played on March 11 at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.
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