Heather Whelan announces break from cricket

Irish women captain Heather Whelan has announced that she is taking a break as both captain and player from the Ireland squad.

She explained, "Due to personal reasons, I'm unable to play for the rest of the current season. I do hope to return in 2009, and I'd like to wish the squad all the best for their forthcoming games."

Whelan was captain of the side which just missed out on World Cup Qualification, by finishing third behind South Africa and Pakistan in the recent series in South Africa.