WA cricket’s all-time women’s leading run-scorer Nicole Bolton announces retirement

Jordan McArdleThe West Australian
Camera IconNicole Bolton with her nephew Nathan (2) and niece Addison (4). Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

WA cricket’s all-time women’s leading run-scorer Nicole Bolton says while her heart is still in the sport, it wasn’t at the forefront of her mind as she made the tough call to end a decorated state career.

The five-time Zoe Goss medallist informed her WA teammates of her decision on Thursday, 17 years after she walked through the door as a 15-year-old.

The WACA Ground’s Kim Hughes Room was packed with Bolton’s teammates, family and friends as she emotionally announced her retirement to the media.

“My heart still loves cricket but it’s not at the forefront of my mind anymore and if it’s something I’m not able to put in 110 per cent, then I think it’s time to walk away,” Bolton said.

“I walk away still very much a proud WA player, it’s been a long 17 years and it’s got to a point where I’m a bit tired to be honest.”

Read more...
Camera IconBolton has been a stalwart of WA cricket. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

The classy left-hander amassed 2,758 runs for WA, including seven centuries, and took 59 wickets over her decorated 85-game WNCL career.

Her final knock for the State was a match-winning unbeaten 100 at the WACA Ground against Victoria, to end last season’s WNCL campaign, the same place she made her debut.

In 49 T20 appearances for WA, Bolton scored 961 runs with a best of 97 not out and an average of 24.64.

Bolton admits she had been “naturally transitioning out of the cricket bubble” over the last 18 months.

She recently started full-time work at the WA Football Commission in a community and junior development role.

“Over the last 18 months I’ve found a lot of things quite challenging around my cricket. After I stopped playing for Australia, I struggled to find my purpose in state cricket,” Bolton said.

“I found joy again the year we won the Ruth Preddy Cup, but I know my time is up.

“I didn’t really realise, but I was naturally transitioning out of the cricket bubble over the last year, starting to work and finding my career.

“I want to thank everyone at WA Cricket, if it wasn’t for the staff and Christina (CEO Christina Matthews) growing women’s cricket, I wouldn’t have got to where I am now.

Camera IconBolton has a laugh at her retirement press conference. Credit: Jackson Flindell/The West Australian

“I turned up as a 15-year-old kid, playing against women more advanced, but many people have believed in me along the way, and it’s been those people who gifted me the opportunity to play for my country and my State.

“There have been a lot of changes in the team over the last few years, but it’s a good energy and they’ve kept me grounded.”

WA Cricket CEO Christina Matthews said there was “no doubt” Bolton should be considered the State’s best ever.

“It is a sad day for WA cricket but we support Nicole in her decision to retire,” Matthews said.

“There’s no doubt that Nicole Bolton finishes her career as probably the greatest WA player ever.

“Starting as a little tacker at about 15, I think everyone always saw the talent she had and I’ve been very proud over the last 10 years about how she’s blossomed into the player she leaves us today.”

Bolton leaves with a number of records to her name including most runs and most centuries for WA, the first WA woman to score a WNCL century back in 2012, the first Australian woman to score century on ODI debut in 2014.

Bolton is also a three-time WNCL player of the year and earned player-of-the-final honours in WA’s drought-breaking Ruth Preedy Cup win in 2019-20 in what she described as the pinnacle of her career.

At international level, Bolton represented Australia 55 times including four centuries and 12 half-centuries in the ODI arena.

The 32-year-old will continue playing cricket in the Women’s Big Bash League, but for rival franchise Sydney Sixers after signing a couple of months back.

Bolton will also keep going at club level for Subiaco-Floreat in a player-coach role.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails