COFFS HARBOUR, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 26: Australia's Rachael Haynes in action during the Women's One Day International match between Australia and England on October 26, 2017 in Coffs Harbour, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)

Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes has announced her retirement from international and state cricket to immediate effect.

Haynes will continue to play for the Sydney Thunder in the WBBL this summer, but will not feature in any of Australia or New South Wales' fixtures this season.

The veteran all-rounder began her international career in 2009, before playing 167 matches for Australia across all formats; six Tests, 77 ODIs and 84 T20Is.

Haynes confirmed today that the recent Commonwealth Games triumph was her last appearance in the green and gold, going on to acknowledge the "greatest privilege of her career" and thank those who have helped her reach that point.
"From clubs, states, coaches, family and friends, I'm so grateful to those who helped me along the way. In particular, I want to thank my parents Ian and Jenni, and partner Leah for their unwavering support," Haynes said.
"To all the teammates across my career, you are the reason I've played as long as I have. You've inspired me to be better every day. I've learnt something from all of you, on and off the field. You've challenged me as a player, helped me grow as a person and most importantly, made cricket fun.
"You've challenged me as a player, helped me grow as a person and most importantly, made cricket fun.

"One of the great things about having a long career is watching those around you develop. I'm extremely proud of the way this team has brought players in and nurtured their development.

"The ability to help players transition smoothly has been instrumental to our team's success. To be a leader within this environment has been the greatest privilege of my career."

Haynes' career can be divided into two parts - 2009-2013 and after 2017 - having been dropped from the national side in 2013.

Upon returning to the international setup in 2017, Haynes' form was nothing short of remarkable, with a batting average of 45.07 in ODIs and 33 in T20Is from that point on.

Haynes has two centuries and 19 half centuries to her name from her ODI career, while she retires having been a victor of the 2018 and 2020 T20 World Cups and the 50-over World Cup and Commonwealth Games gold this year.
Teammate Alyssa Healy, with whom Haynes put on a 160-run partnership in the 2022 ODI World Cup final, said she will cherish her memories with Haynes.
"I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend most of my career playing with Rach," Healy said.
"In the early years I played against her when she was at Victoria, and we have been rivals in the WBBL, but it's pretty obvious that it's better being on her team than trying to get her out.
"To have the privilege of being at the other end watching some of her greatest innings, and it those times, as well as the times off the field travelling around Australia and the world, that I will always cherish."

 

Haynes' leadership is viewed as integral to the Aussie setup, also creating one of the world's most formidable leadership pairings as Meg Lanning's deputy.
The vice-captain stepped up to captain Australia on 14 occasions as a fill-in for Lanning, highlighted by being appointed as skipper during the 2017-18 Ashes series.
Haynes will retire from international cricket as the world's sixth-ranked ODI batter, with a career total of 2585 runs at an average of 39.76.
Haynes' domestic form did not elude her either, scoring 4528 runs at 43.12 with nine centuries across a career with both Victoria and New South Wales, the second of which she ranks fourth on the all-time run scoring list; Alex Blackwell (4788), Lisa Sthalekar (3414) and Lisa Keightly (3081).