A shining Knight

The PCA has paid tribute to Heather Knight and her phenomenal 16-year international career after she announced her retirement.

PCA President Eoin Morgan, Chair Olly Hannon-Dalby, Vice Chair Georgia Elwiss and Chief Executive Daryl Mitchell have all expressed their gratitude to Knight for her commitment to the women’s game and playing for England.

The 35-year-old played 320 times for her country, leaving the game as the all-time appearance maker for England women with 15 Tests, 160 ODIs and 145 T20 Internationals.

Knight played a leading role in countless England victories over the years, amassing a combined 8,017 international runs, finishing her career in third on the run-scoring lists for both ODI and T20I cricket with 4,372 and 2,656 runs respectively. Her last game for England came in the history-making first England women’s Test at Lord’s.

However, it’s not just on the pitch that’s Knight’s presence has been felt. Behind the scenes, her influence in offices and boardrooms alike maker her off-field accolades just as impressive.

Amongst the first players to receive an England Women’s Central Contract in 2014, Knight proved to be a beacon for change, playing a pivotal role in the creation of the England Women’s Player Partnership (EWPP) in 2017 which represents the interests of the England women’s cricketers in their contractual and commercial rights.

As the Vice Chair of the PCA, a position she held from 2020-2025, Knight’s influence on the domestic, national and international stage was exemplary, she also sat on the FICA (now WCA) Player Advisory Group for the global game.

Knight has undoubtedly helped to improve the women’s game in England and Wales since her 2010 international debut in Mumbai, telling the PCA in a Beyond the Boundaries interview in 2023 that she wanted to “leave the game in a better position that when she started.”

Famously captaining England to World Cup success at Lord’s in 2017 with a nine-run victory over India, Knight was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to cricket in 2018 and was named one of the Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year.

In 2020, she became the first English man or woman to score a hundred in each format with her unbeaten innings of 108 against Thailand at the Manuka Oval in Canberra.

Taking over the England captaincy at just 25-years-old, Knight led her country in 199 internationals, winning 134 of them.

PCA President and former England captain, Eoin Morgan, said: “Heather has been a huge inspiration to so many people during an incredible 16-year international career. Her accomplishments are incredibly impressive alongside her 199 games as captain of England. She has led with humility, resilience and an unwavering commitment to making those around her better, qualities that earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike.

“To do it for as long as Heather has, while consistently performing on the biggest stage and caring deeply about the development and growth of the game is an exceptional achievement. She is an iconic role model, playing a huge part in raising the profile and standards of the women’s game. I wish her every success for the future.”

PCA Chair and Warwickshire bowler, Olly Hannon-Dalby, said: “Congratulations on an incredible international career. You have been a superb player and an outstanding captain. Relentlessly working to get the best out of yourself and your teammates while leading England.

“You’ve not only been an inspiration to young boys and girls across the country but you have also set the standard for all current professional cricketers. Lastly, a big thank you for all your hard work as PCA Vice Chair, your efforts championing progress for the benefit of all our members, especially the rapid growth of the women’s game was game-changing.”

PCA Vice Chair and The Blaze all-rounder, Georgia Elwiss, said: “Looking at what Heather has achieved in her career, it’s impossible not to feel incredibly grateful for everything she’s given to the game. Her commitment to driving standards in both the domestic and international game, her resilience and her longevity as captain has been so impressive.

“Off the field, Heather brought that same commitment to her role as PCA Vice Chair, always willing to stand up for players and help shape a better future for the game. She’s had an incredible impact on so many people, and her legacy goes far beyond the runs she’s scored or the trophies she’s won.”

PCA Chief Executive, Daryl Mitchell, said: “Heather has been one of the defining figures of English cricket and a true ambassador for the women’s game. Her achievements speak for themselves, but it is the way she has inspired teammates, young cricketers and supporters through her professionalism, resilience and leadership that will leave the greatest legacy.

“Heather has consistently set the standards on and off the field and I would to like congratulate her on behalf of everyone at the PCA for a remarkable international career. We thank her for everything she has given to the game and wish her every success in the next chapter. Her impact on cricket will be felt for many years to come.”