‘No regrets’ for retiring wicketkeeper
White Ferns wicketkeeper Katey Martin announced her retirement yesterday, saying she had ‘‘no regrets’’ at the end of a career that spanned more than two decades.
The 37-year-old made her Otago debut in 2001 and her international debut in India in 2003 and finished with 199 appearances for the White Ferns across tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals.
Her last outing was in their final match at the Women’s Cricket World Cup on home soil earlier this year.
The team had missed out on a place in the semifinals by the time they played Pakistan at Hagley Oval in Christchurch and Martin was in tears as she stood in the middle for the national anthem for what turned out to be the last time.
‘‘I knew heading into that match it could be my last time playing for New Zealand, hence why I was quite emotional,’’ she said in a statement.
‘‘I took some time after the tournament to talk to family and friends to solidify my decision.’’ Martin’s career included 103 ODIS, 95 T20IS, and a single test. ‘‘It’s been an incredible experience,’’ she said Away from sport, Martin has established a career as an IT consultant, but she is set to remain part of the cricketing landscape going forward. She has expressed a desire to remain involved in the game as a wicketkeeping coach and mentor and has been a commentator for Spark Sport since the 2020-21 summer.
■ Glenn Pocknall won’t be the White Ferns’ new head coach.
The former Wellington Firebirds men’s coach was in the final four candidates for the position, but Stuff understands he was told they would be going in another direction.
Former Australian international Jo Broadbent, who coaches the Northern Brave women’s domestic side, and White Ferns assistant coach Jacob Oram are understood to have interviewed for the vacant role.
Canterbury Cricket’s men’s high performance development coach Brendon Donkers, who has previously coached both the Canterbury men’s and women’s teams, could be another possible contender.
Pocknall, who has finished up as Wellington coach, has moved into a new job, heading up Cricket Wellington’s new Talent Acceleration Programme.