Evaluation by BBC Cricket Correspondent Stephan Shemilt
Heather Knight won’t solely go down as an important of English cricket, but in addition probably the most necessary leaders in trendy British sport.
Knight’s nine-year spell as captain was outstanding for its longevity – it took in six completely different prime ministers – and for every part that was achieved on and off the sphere.
To comply with within the footsteps of Edwards would have fazed some, but Knight moulded a brand new era all the best way to that memorable 2017 World Cup last victory at Lord’s. The importance of that triumph grows with each passing yr England wait for his or her subsequent international title.
And, whereas Knight was delivering the most important prize within the sport, English girls’s cricket was additionally transitioning into the skilled and profitable sport it’s at this time. Knight, and her fellow retiree Tammy Beaumont have been on the forefront of the brand new period.
As a skipper, Knight by no means managed to get her fingers on the Ashes – a attract Australia in 2017, then again at residence in 2023 was as shut as she got here. A 16-0 humiliation down underneath in 2025 was the tip of her reign. Even then, she needed to be faraway from the publish, when maybe she felt she may have carried on.
To focus solely on Knight the captain does a disservice to Knight the cricketer. A warrior on the sphere, usually battling her physique, there have been loads of occasions when Knight was required to carry England’s batting collectively.
An epic maiden century within the Ashes Take a look at of 2013 was an indication of issues to come back, and she or he would ultimately turn into the primary England participant – man or lady – to attain 100 in all three codecs.
Accidents hampered Knight late in her profession, and a transition to the backroom position at London Spirit was a transparent indication that she was contemplating hanging up the boots.
With Knight following Beaumont into retirement, it’s a additional indication that England are in transition, in want of latest stars like Alice Capsey, Grace Scrivens and Tilly Corteen-Coleman to choose up the mantle.
Earlier than that, Knight nonetheless has a attainable two days of her profession remaining. How becoming that she goes out within the first girls’s Take a look at at Lord’s. There aren’t many firsts for the ladies’s sport left, thanks in no small half to Heather Knight.
