Lauren Down has announced her retirement from professional cricket, bringing the curtain down on a journey that spanned more than a decade across domestic and international stages. A mainstay of Auckland Hearts and a respected member of the White Ferns, Down steps away from the game at the age of 30, eight years after making her international debut.
Down’s association with Auckland Hearts began in 2011, and she went on to become one of the province’s most consistent performers. Across formats, she represented Auckland on 202 occasions, evenly split between List A and T20 cricket. Her longevity and impact are reflected in the record books, she finishes as the Hearts’ third-highest appearance maker, third on the all-time T20 run-scoring list with 1,496 runs, and fourth among List A run scorers with 2,690 runs. In her early years, she also contributed 41 wickets as an all-rounder.
A key figure in Auckland’s domestic success, Down was part of five title-winning campaigns in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield. Her most memorable contribution came in the 2019-20 final, where a fluent 90 helped Auckland overcome Northern Brave and lift the trophy.
On the international front, Down earned her first cap for New Zealand in March 2018, debuting in a dramatic one-run ODI victory over West Indies in Lincoln. She went on to play 35 ODIs and 13 T20Is, scoring 486 ODI runs and 93 T20I runs while largely occupying a middle-order role.
Reflecting on her international career, Down said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket, “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. I will miss being around the girls, but I’m now looking forward to watching from the sidelines and seeing what this group is able to achieve.”
Her career also stood out for its balance between elite sport and personal milestones. Down opted out of a central contract for the 2023-24 season to welcome her first child, before making a return to the national setup in 2024-25. She featured on tours of England and India in 2024, underlining her commitment and resilience.
White Ferns head coach Ben Sawyer paid tribute to her contribution, saying: “Lauren has been a fantastic team person and has always given her all in the White Ferns environment. 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.”
Down’s final international appearance came in December 2024, featuring in the third ODI against Australia at the iconic Basin Reserve. It marked a fitting end to a career defined by consistency, loyalty, and quiet leadership. As she steps away from the pitch, Down leaves behind a legacy rooted in service to her province, her country, and the teams she represented with distinction.
