Nelson and Central Hinds swing bowler Claudia Green has announced her retirement from domestic and international cricket.

Twice picked to tour England with the WHITE FERNS — the latter as a member of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games team, Green broke into the Central Hinds’ squad in late 2018 with her ability to hoop the ball prodigiously.

Forming a potent, three-prong pace spearhead with Hannah Rowe and Rosemary Mair for the Hinds, she made history in the 2024 Super Smash Elimination Final by taking the team’s first T20 hat-trick, knocking out Northern Brave in the process.

Those wickets form part of an overall career haul of 58 T20 and 54 one-day wickets at List A level, and remarkably she wound up with two hat-tricks in the 2023/24 season when she went on to repeat the feat for the South Island in the annual North v South series.

Of those, 48 and 50 came for the Hinds in the respective formats, including a career-best 5/30 for Central in Auckland in late 2023, and contributions to the 2018/19 title-winning season in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

Green also took a match-winning five-wicket-bag against England in a 2021 tour match while playing for a New Zealand XI, and was picked for New Zealand A against England A in 2024.

Meanwhile in Indoor Cricket she went to the 2017 Indoor Cricket World Cup in Dubai as a member of the New Zealand Under-22 Women's team.

At 28, the Physical Education graduate and former teacher is stepping away from the pitch to focus on her career and have more time to explore other parts of life. 

Green said while she would miss playing for the tight-knit Hinds this summer, “after giving it a lot of thought over the off-season, the time feels right for me personally and I'm grateful for everything cricket has offered me over the years. 

“I have mixed emotions. I love playing for the Hinds, but I feel content with my playing career, the opportunities it presented, memories made, and I'm now looking forward to what's next."

“I have lifelong friends from this sport, and I’m so grateful to CD as an organisation and all of the amazing coaches and support staff that have supported me along the way, both in Nelson and Hawke's Bay.”

Hinds head coach Deepak Joon said Green always brought more than sheer skills to the group.

“It’s hard to sum up what Claudia has meant to this team,” said Joon. 

“Beyond the wickets, runs, catches and moments that won us games, she’s been a genuinely great person — someone every single teammate and staff member has enjoyed being around. 

Two Hat-Tricks in a month | PHOTOSPORT

 

“Claudia has led by example and by presence, someone others naturally followed. 

“Her skill level speaks for itself, but what set her apart was delivering when it mattered most: a true match-winner.

“I will always remember her hat-trick in the qualifier and got us through to the final of 2023/24 Super Smash and the Central Hinds will feel her absence, but we couldn’t be prouder of what she’s given to this team. 

"All the best for the next chapter, Claudia. You’ll be missed.”

About Claudia Green

Born: Nelson, New Zealand

District Association team: Nelson Nyxons

Right-arm swing bowler, right-hand lower order batter

54 List A One-Day matches: 54 wickets at 29.61, Best 5/30, 1x4wi, 1x5wi; ER 4.30

76 T20 matches: 58 wickets at 24.82, Best 4/24, 2x4wi; ER 6.37; Two hat-tricks

Selected Achievements 

• 2015/16 and 2017/18 NZ Under 21 national titles (CD U21 Women) 
• 2017 New Zealand U22 Indoor Cricket World Cup team
• 2018/19 Hallyburton Johnstone Shield title
• Selected for 2021 WHITE FERNS T20i and ODI tour of England
• 2021/22 NZC Development Contract
• Selected for 2022 New Zealand/WHITE FERNS Commonweath Games team
• First T20 hat-trick for Central Hinds (January 2024 at Seddon Park)
• T20 hat-trick for South Island (March 2024 at McLean Park)
• 2023/2024 Super Smash finalist
• 2023/24 selected for New Zealand A v England A

MBUTCHER

Article added: Monday 3 August 2026