Proteas Women’s batter Lizelle Lee has retired from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect.

The shock news comes ahead of the Proteas’ three-match ODI series against England, which gets underway in Northampton on Monday.

The 30-year-old made her international debut in a T20I against Bangladesh in Potchefstroom in 2013 and received her first ODI cap a week later.

Lee amassed 3,315 runs in 100 ODIs, including 23 half-centuries and three centuries, with a career-best score of 132* against India in Lucknow in March last year.

She played 82 T20Is, scoring 1 896 runs with 13 fifties and one hundred, against Thailand in 2020.

Lee leaves the international stage on top of the Proteas T20I run-scorer’s list and second to the recently-retired Mignon du Preez in ODI cricket.

“It is with a lot of mixed emotions that I announce my retirement from international cricket,” Lee said in a statement. “From a very young age, I have lived cricket and wanted to represent my country at the highest level. Over the past eight years, I was able to live that dream and I feel I have given everything I could to the Proteas.

“I feel that I am ready for the next phase in my career and will continue to play domestic T20 cricket around the world.

“It has been an incredible journey and it would not have been possible without everyone who has supported me during my international career. I want to thank my family, especially my wife Tanja for all the sacrifices they have made for me to live out my dream to represent my country.

“Thank you to CSA, Saca and all stakeholders involved for the opportunities and support you afforded me to make my dreams of playing for the Proteas come true.

“My fellow Proteas teammates, thank you for the wonderful memories we have made together. You have made this journey incredible, and I could not have done this without you. I will always be supporting you; we will always be rising together.

“Lastly to my fans, I am the person I am because of the love and support you have given me throughout my international career. I look forward to continuing this journey with you in the different leagues around the world.”