“It is with a lot of mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from international cricket,” Lee said on Friday. “From a very young age, I have lived cricket, and wanted to represent my country at the highest level. Over the past 8 years, I was able to live that dream, and I feel I have given everything I could to the Proteas.
“I feel that I am ready for the next phase in my career, and will continue to play domestic T20 cricket around the world.”
Lee’s announcement comes ahead of South Africa’s ODI series in England starting next week. South Africa drew the one-off Test ahead of the white-ball series, where Lee returned scores of 0 and 36.
“It has been an incredible journey, and it would not have been possible without everyone who has supported me during my international career,” Lee stated. “I want to thank my family, especially my wife Tanja for all the sacrifices they have made for me to live out my dream to represent my country.
“Thank you to CSA, SACA and all stakeholders involved for the opportunities and support you afforded me to make my dreams of playing for the Proteas come true. My fellow Proteas teammates, thank you for the wonderful memories we have made together. You have made this journey incredible, and I could not have done this without you. I will always be supporting you; we will always be rising together.
“Lastly to my fans, I am the person I am because of the love and support you have given me throughout my international career. I look forward to continuing this journey with you in the different leagues around the world.”
“It is with great sadness that we have to bid farewell to a titan of South African cricket at a relatively young age. However, we wholeheartedly respect the individual’s decision and her desire to move onto the next chapter of her playing career,” Enoch Nkwe, Director of Cricket for South Africa, said.
“Lizelle has given this nation countless memorable moments on the field of play, most notably in 2021 when she was leading from the front with the bat towards being named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in an effort to help South Africa soar to second place on the ICC ODI Rankings. We wish her and her young family nothing but the best from here onwards.”
Lee will play for Manchester Originals in The Hundred this season as her next assignment, having also also represented them in the inaugural season in 2021.