New Zealand veteran Lea Tahuhu calls time on ODI career, to continue with T20s
Lea Tahuhu (Source: White Ferns)
Published - 08 Mar 2026, 02:06 PM• Read time - 2 mins
New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu has pulled the curtains down on her 15-year-long ODI career. Tahuhu finishes her 50-over career as the leading wicket-taker for the White Ferns with 125 scalps in 103 matches at an average of 28.01 and an economy rate of 4.54, including three four-wicket hauls and a five-for.
Tahuhu, 35, made her ODI debut against Australia in Brisbane on June 14, 2011, and her last appearance in the format came against England during an ODI World Cup fixture in Vizag on October 26 last year.
In her prime, Tahuhu was one of the most feared new-ball bowlers in the circuit and shouldered the responsibility of providing early breakthroughs to the White Ferns in the powerplay.
The right-arm pacer is one of only 12 New Zealand players to play more than 100 games in the 50-over format.
"It's always been a privilege and honour to pull on the White Ferns shirt in ODI cricket," Tahuhu said in a statement released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC). "To get one game was an amazing feeling. To have been able to wear the shirt and represent my country and my family over 100 times in ODI cricket is something I never could have dreamt of.
"I'll treasure every moment and walk away from the ODI game incredibly proud of what I've been able to achieve in the format."
Having called time on her 50-over career, Tahuhu will continue to push her limits in the shortest format of the game for the White Ferns and in the franchise circuit.
She was a part of the New Zealand squad that won the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE and is likely to be picked for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa on home turf. With the upcoming edition of the Women's T20 World Cup to be played in England, Tahuhu will remain central to New Zealand's title defence.
"There's plenty of exciting things ahead, and I'm looking forward to continuing to contribute to this team in the T20 format," Tahuhu said. "Winning the T20 World Cup in 2024 was a huge achievement, and I'm really motivated to be over in England later this year to help this team defend our title."
