WHITE FERNS and Auckland Hearts batter Lauren Down has called time on her 15-year cricket career.
Born and raised in Auckland and a proud member of the Takapuna Cricket Club, Down debuted for her hometown Hearts in 2011 in a T20 against Canterbury at Melville Park in Auckland and would go on to represent Auckland on 202 occasions (101 List A and 101 T20).
The Hearts’ third all-time appearance maker, Down also ends her career as the Hearts’ third all-time leading T20 run scorer (1,496 runs) and the fourth all-time leading List A run scorer (2,690 runs) and contributed 41 wickets during her early days as an allrounder.
Down was part of five successful Hallyburton Johnstone Shield campaigns, helping the Hearts lift the women’s 50-over title in 2011-12, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18 and, most recently, 2019-20 where she scored 90 in the Grand Final to help defeat Northern Districts by 67 runs at Seddon Park in Hamilton.
Her strong domestic form for the Hearts across the 2017-18 season was rewarded with a full WHITE FERNS debut in a one-run ODI win over the West Indies in Lincoln in March 2018.
She would go on to feature in 35 ODIs and 13 T20Is for New Zealand, scoring valuable runs, including her 107 in a 50-over warm-up against a Governor-General's XI in Sydney, and a well-made 90 in the 1st ODI against Australia at Bay Oval in 2021.
A thumb injury meant Down missed out on the 2022 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand and sat out of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham later that year, but returned to the squad for the West Indies tour in September 2022 and was included in Ben Sawyer's squad for the 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Down opted out of a WHITE FERNS central contract for the 2023-24 season to welcome her first child, before returning to the 2024-25 list and featuring on the 2024 tours of England and India. She represented the WHITE FERNS for what would be the final time in the 3rd ODI against Australia at the Cello Basin Reserve last summer.
A reliable right-hander known for her timing and technique with the bat, Down was also regarded as one of the best fielders in the country and was often found patrolling the cover and point region.
Alongside her achievements for Auckland and the WHITE FERNS, Down also represented the Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League and had stints with Oxfordshire in the UK.
Down said she had fond memories of representing New Zealand and Auckland.
“I have loved my time being part of the WHITE FERNS group and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to have represented my country,” she said.
“I will miss being around the girls, but I’m now looking forward to watching on from the sidelines and seeing what this group is able to achieve.
“A huge part of my cricket career has been in the Auckland set up and I cannot thank Auckland Cricket, my coaches and team mates enough for the part they have played in my journey.”
WHITE FERNS head coach Ben Sawyer thanked Down for her contributions to the WHITE FERNS.
“Lauren has been a fantastic team person and has always given her all in the WHITE FERNS environment,” said Sawyer.
“It’s a testament to her dedication and commitment to her game that she was able to go away to welcome her first child and then return to the level of international cricket so quickly.
“Lauren has been a valued member of the WHITE FERNS and has always demonstrated the values of our team both inside and outside the environment.
“I want to thank Lauren for the contributions she has made to both the WHITE FERNS and Auckland Cricket and wish her and her family all the very best for the future.”
WHITE FERNS and Auckland Hearts batter Maddy Green praised Down as a teammate.
“I’ve been lucky enough to grow up playing cricket with Lauren, first through the Auckland Age Group system, then for the Hearts and the WHITE FERNS,” said Green.
“She’s always been an incredibly hard worker, humble and a great teammate to anyone she played alongside.
“It’s been amazing to see her become a Mum to Ruby and I’m so proud of she’s carried herself coming back to being a professional cricketer whilst balancing motherhood.
“I know that we’ll all miss her but look forward to seeing what the next stage in life has for her and her family.”
