Delissa Kimmince, a three-time world cup winning all-rounder for Australia’s women’s team has announced her retirement from top-level cricket. She informed Cricket Australia and Queensland Cricket this week of her decision to retire, ending a 15 year long remarkable international and domestic playing career.
Kimmince had made her debut for the national team as a 19-year-old way back in 2008. However. she quit the sport and worked in a pub for a while, before coming back to club cricket as an opening bat while living in the country.
The Warwick product then worked her way back into Australia’s side by 2014 and won the T20 World Cup on her return as well as in 2018 and 2020, while juggling an AFLW debut for Brisbane Heats, winning two championships with the franchise. The 31-year-old made the call to take a break after last year’s WBBL, before telling national selectors she would not take a contract in 2021-22.
Talking about her retirement, Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson thanked Kimmince for her outstanding contribution to the game. “It’s been a privilege to watch Delissa play for Australia, the Fire and the Heat. Her skills as a player were outstanding, and it was equally rewarding to see the way she carried herself away from the field. She led by example through her generosity with sponsors, volunteers, fans and supporters, and her enthusiasm to promote the game to girls and women.”
He further added that Delissa Kimmince deserves the highest praise for being an exceptional role model. Svenson confirmed that they will be celebrating Dellissa’s career at next week’s Queensland Cricket Awards dinner and will be looking forward to highlighting the exceptional contribution she has made to cricket in the State.
High-Performance Manager Shawn Felger also commented saying, “DK should be incredibly proud of her contribution to Australian cricket. During that time (away) she developed from a raw fast bowler into a genuine allrounder and has been regarded as one of the best fielders in the world. She’s been a wonderful teammate and an important member of our Ashes and T20 World Cup-winning squads. We thank her for her outstanding service to the game.”
Darcie Brown gets central contract with Cricket Australia
Meanwhile, Kimmince’s retirement has helped 18-year-old Darcie Brown to secure a central contract with Cricket Australia. She made her debut on this month’s tour of New Zealand. It is the only change to the contract list for next summer.
Shawn Fleger also commented on Darcie’s skills saying that she is an incredibly exciting fast-bowling talent, as witnessed during the recent T20I and ODI tour of New Zealand. She has consistently been the fastest bowler in the country and has shown tremendous raw pace throughout the junior ranks. Darcie has the potential to form an excellent new-ball partnership.