A Domestic career that started in 2018 saw Nelson swing bowler Claudia Green go on to be picked to tour England with the WHITE FERNS - twice, the second time as a member of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games team.
Sadly Green didn't get to make an International debut in the outdoor game (she's already represented New Zealand Under 22 at a World Cup in Indoor Cricket), but her ability to hoop the ball prodigiously led to a fine career for the Central Hinds that ended this month with the announcement of her retirement from all cricket.
Forming a potent, three-prong pace spearhead with Hannah Rowe and Rosemary Mair, Green made history in the 2024 Super Smash Elimination Final by taking the team's first T20 hat-trick, and knocking out Northern Brave in the process.
Remarkably, she did it again just weeks later: another T20 hat-trick, this time for the South Island in NZC's annual North v South series.
Those wickets form part of an overall career legacy of 58 T20 and 54 one-day wickets at List A level. Of those, 48 and 50 came for the Hinds in the respective formats, including a career-best 5/30 for Central in Auckland in late 2023, and contributions to the title-winning season of 2018/19 in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.
Green also took a match-winning five-wicket-bag against England in a 2021 tour match while playing for a New Zealand XI, and was picked for New Zealand A against England A in 2024.
At 28, the Physical Education graduate and former teacher is stepping away from the pitch to focus on her career and having more time to explore other parts of life.
"After giving it a lot of thought over the off-season, the time feels right for me personally, and I'm grateful for everything cricket has offered me over the years," she said.
"I have mixed emotions. I love playing for the Hinds, but I feel content with my playing career, the opportunities it presented, memories made, and I'm now looking forward to what's next."
Hinds head coach Deepak Joon said that Green always brought more than sheer skills to his group.
It's hard to sum up what Claudia has meant to this team," he said.
"Beyond the wickets, runs, catches and moments that won us games, she's been a genuinely great person - someone every single teammate and staff member has enjoyed being around.
"Claudia has led by example and by presence, someone others naturally followed.
"Her skill level speaks for itself, but what set her apart was delivering when it mattered most: a true match-winner.
"I will always remember her hat-trick in the qualifier and got us through to the final of 2023/24 Super Smash."
CLAUDIA GREEN
- Born: Nelson, New Zealand
- District Association team: Nelson Nyxons
- Major Association team: Central Hinds
- Right-arm swing bowler, right-hand lower order batter
- 54 List A One-Day matches: 54 wickets at 29.61, Best Bowling 5/30, 1x4wi, 1x5wi; ER 4.30
- 76 List A T20 matches: 58 wickets at 24.82, Best Bowling 4/24, 2x4wi; ER 6.37; two hat-tricks
Selected Achievements
- 2015/16 and 2017/18 NZ Under 21 national titles (CD U21 Women)
- 2017 New Zealand U22 Indoor Cricket World Cup team
- 2018/19 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title
- Selected for 2021 WHITE FERNS T20i and ODI tour of England
- 2021/22 NZC Development Contract
- Selected for 2022 New Zealand/WHITE FERNS Commonweath Games team
- T20 hat-trick for Central Hinds (January 2024 at Seddon Park)
- T20 hat-trick for South Island (March 2024 at McLean Park)
- 2023/24 Super Smash grand finalist
- 2023/24 selected for New Zealand A v England A