BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Former captain Merissa Aguilleira yesterday announced her retirement from international cricket, bringing to end a stellar career that saw her play over 100 One-Day Internationals.

The move comes a week after the 33-year-old Trinidadian was dropped for the upcoming tour of Ireland and England, following a poor domestic championship.

“I wish to thank all members of the team with whom I worked and who worked with me to secure success in our endeavours to bring pleasure, pride, happiness and inspiration to West Indian people everywhere,” said Aguilleira.

“It is an absolute honour to have been of service to West Indies Cricket. My continued goal is to assist CWI to build and develop women’s cricket and help others like me to achieve their dreams.”

Aguilleira led West Indies in 74 of her 112 ODIs and in 73 of her 95 Twenty20 Internationals, and was in charge when the Caribbean side reached the final of the ICC 50-over World Cup in 2013 in India where they lost to Australia.

With the emergence of Stafanie Taylor, Aguilleira handed over the captaincy four years ago but remained a part of the side, and played a key role when they won the historic first T20 World Cup in India in 2016.

However, her performances declined in recent years and opportunities became fewer, most notably when she failed to get a single game at the T20 World Cup in the Caribbean last November.

Her last international came on the tour of Pakistan last February when she led the side in the three-match T20 series after Taylor opted out.
Director of cricket, Jimmy Adams, said Aguilleira’s professionalism would be her greatest legacy.

“From my own experience this cannot be the easiest of times for Merissa. However, her dignity and candour in communicating this decision has been exceptional,” he said.

“The highest accolades are due to her for a career spanning more than 10 years and which included over 100 ODIs. Far exceeding the statistics, Merissa has been the epitome of professionalism throughout her career whilst consistently upholding the highest possible standards on and off the field.”

Aguilleira made 1 752 runs in ODIs at an average of 20, while claiming 78 catches and 26 stumpings. In T20s, she scored 768 runs at 14 and completed 38 catches and 34 stumpings.