Ireland Women’s all-rounder Arlene Kelly has announced her retirement from professional cricket as at the conclusion of today’s match against England Women in Worcester.
Kelly, 32, was born in New Zealand but – as an Irish passport holder – came to Ireland in 2022 to experience Irish domestic cricket.
Shortly after Kelly arrived in Ireland, she was picked to play in the Evoke Super Series and made an immediate impact scoring 60 and taking 3-35 in a Player of the Match performance. Within weeks, Kelly was called-up to the Ireland Women’s side and made her international debut against South Africa on 3 June 2022 at Pembroke Cricket Club. She claimed 2-25 with the ball as the Irish side upset the then World Cup runners-up by 10 runs.
While acknowledging that she had no expectations of playing international cricket when she moved to Ireland, Kelly grasped her opportunity and quickly became a mainstay of the girls in green. In fact, of the 117 matches played by Ireland Women since Kelly’s debut, the Malahide all-rounder had featured in 110 of these.
A medium-pace swing bowler who was renowned for her accuracy and consistency, Kelly took 135* wickets for Ireland across formats, making her the third-highest wicket-taker ever for Ireland behind Isobel Joyce and Laura Delany. Her best bowling figures were a remarkable 5-12 over the Netherlands in a T20I in 2023. That year was probably her best in international colours, as she was recognised with both the Irish Cricket International Women’s Player of the Year 2023 Award and was the ICC’s International Women’s Player of the Month in August 2023.
Kelly also made various important contributions with the bat, scoring 601 runs with a top score of 35 in both white ball formats.
In 2025, Kelly was asked to stand-in as captain in the absence of Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast (Ireland comfortably beat Italy that day).
* figure may increase after today’s game
Speaking ahead of her last match, Arlene Kelly said:
“It’s been an absolute privilege to represent Ireland over the past four-and-a-half years and I’ve been fortunate enough to make so many amazing memories both on and off the field. However, the time feels right to hang up the boots and head back to New Zealand to be around my family and friends.
“I want to say a massive thank you to Cricket Ireland, the coaches I’ve worked alongside and – most importantly – my teammates. You welcomed me in with open arms and allowed me to be me. This has been a very special changing room to be a part of, and I know that this group is capable of achieving so much. I will be actively following and supporting the team from the other side of the boundary boards.”
Gaby Lewis, Ireland Women’s captain, said:
“Arlene has become such a special part of our team over the last four years. She came over to Ireland as an overseas player for Malahide CC and I don’t think any of us could have imagined then just how important she would become to our group. She has given so much to us, both on and off the field, and has been someone we could always rely on.
“We know how difficult it has been for her being so far away from her family for such a long time. Although we’re going to miss her hugely, we’re really happy for her to be heading home and being closer to the people she loves.
“We can’t thank Arlene enough for everything she has given to us over the last four years. She has left a real mark on our squad and she’ll always be a huge part of our Irish cricket family. We wish her all the best with whatever comes next.”
Lloyd Tennant, Head Coach of Ireland Women, said:
“Arlene will be a big loss to Irish cricket. She’s been so reliable and handles pressure situations extremely well. But the biggest loss will be her presence in our environment. She’s helped shape a new era of high performance, always looking for ways to improve and make the most of her ability. I wish her every success for the future.”
CAREER IN BRIEF
- Cap number: 108
- International debut: 3 June 2022 v South Africa
- Wickets in T20Is: 91 (2nd highest wicket-taker in T20I for Ireland Women)
- Best bowling in T20Is: 5-12 v Netherlands in 2023
- Wickets in ODIs: 44
- Best bowling in ODIs: 4-35 v Scotland in 2023
- Total career wickets: 135
