Heather Knight accepted "cricket isn't perfect" after her celebrated England career ended with a heavy defeat by India in the first women's Test staged at Lord's.
But the former England captain said she was proud to finish at a ground where she enjoyed many of her best days as a player, with Lord's also the venue for her new career.
Knight was out for 13 in her final international innings on Sunday after it was announced she would retire at the conclusion of this landmark fixture the day before.
England were dismissed for 186 on Monday's fourth and last day as they lost by 270 runs, a reverse which followed their T20 World Cup final defeat by arch-rivals Australia at Lord's just over a week ago.
But there were many great days for Knight during a 16-year international career, notably when she led England to 50-over World Cup final glory against India at Lord's in 2017 -- the last major tournament won by the team.
In 2020, Knight became the first women's cricketer to score a century in all formats and she bows out with 8,017 runs and 84 wickets for England.
The 35-year-old also played a key role in the development of women’s cricket as a professional sport, with Knight's focus now on her new role as general manager of Lord's-based Hundred franchise London Spirit.
"Life isn't perfect, cricket isn't perfect and it wasn't the perfect ending, but so happy to be involved in a Test match at Lord’s," Knight told a post-match press conference.
"That was kind of one of the reasons I wanted to finish here. To do it at Lord's, a ground so special for me and I have had so many amazing memories here –- and I guess it's my new place of work, so that is kind of cool and I think it's been an amazing occasion."
The 35-year-old added: "It was an incredibly quick turnaround from the T20 World Cup, two days to prepare which is a really hard thing to do, but it has been an immense occasion.
"I have tried to take it in, look around and it's been super special to have a lot of friends and family here who knew it was my last game... Probably at the start of the summer, I knew I wanted to give my all and then it was the right time to step away.
"Yeah, I am super happy and I am really excited for what is next."
Reflecting on her career, Knight understandably selected the nine-run win over India in the World Cup final of nine years ago as a stand-out moment.
"Obviously a huge highlight for me and the team to be involved in that day and win a home World Cup," she said.
"Despite the result last weekend it was really special to be involved in another home World Cup... I'm grateful for all the journey and really privileged in what I've been able to do for the last 16 years and really proud to pull on an England shirt for so long."
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