Once they were teammates, and in more recent seasons, rivals on the playing field. But neither Auckland's Saachi Shahri nor Northern Brave's ex-Heart Jesse Prasad will be back for more next season, both women having recently announced their retirement from Domestic cricket.
Both cricketers have been juggling impressive careers away from the sport.
Jesse Prasad kicked off her career with the Hearts | PHOTOSPORT
Prasad holds a degree and post-graduate diploma in Health Science from the University of Auckland, and has works as a community health coach, while Shahri is an engineering graduate with a key role looking after Air New Zealand's fleet of planes as an Engineering Planning Analyst.
Seamer Prasad retires from cricket at just 26, after four seasons with the Auckland Hearts followed by the last two with Northern Districts (Northern Brave), tallying 77 Domestic appearances overall.
Jesse Prasad gives it the full flourish for Northern Brave | All images: PHOTOSPORT
Last summer, she delivered her maiden bag (5/40) with her right-arm pace in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, and was no slouch with the bat down the order.
She scored her maiden List A half century in his 2018/19 season for the Hearts. It turned out be be her only fifty, but she came awfully close on several more occasions over recent seasons, including an unbeaten 49* in her first summer with Northern.
Jesse Prasad bowls for ND | PHOTOSPORT
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Shahri had meanwhile established herself as a top order bat for the Hearts, her dimunitive frame belying her crisp strokeplay and power, and strong work ethic.
The 27-year-old has represented Auckland since 2016/17, accruing more than 2,500 runs in 139 appearances across both formats, working her way up the order.
The past summer was one of her best, producing 430 runs in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield at a 43.00 average to help blast the Hearts into the national Final.
Said Shahri, “It’s been an absolute privilege to play for Auckland and be part of the Hearts for so many years.
"I feel incredibly lucky to have been able to do something I love while also working full time, and I hope that shows others it’s possible to chase both.
All images: PHOTOSPORT
I’ve always loved batting, especially being out in the middle, but there were so many special moments spent in the nets trying to shape the kind of batter people got to see on game day.
"It’s a journey I will cherish and which has allowed me to play on some of the best grounds in the country, including the unique opportunity to play inside the main Eden Park stadium!
"I’ve been really fortunate to have had great people in my corner including coaches and supporters who cared and backed me all the way.
"I’ve been surrounded by teammates who are not only incredibly talented but also genuinely good humans. Being part of that kind of environment has shaped me both on and off the field, and it’s something I’ll always be grateful for.”
