In a poignant end to an illustrious career, Otago Sparks captain Felicity Leydon-Davis, fondly known to all of her teammates as Floss’ Robertson, announced her retirement from cricket ahead of the final round of the ongoing Hallyburton Johnstone Shield 2025/26.
The influential veteran and former White Fern has been a cornerstone for the Sparks, leading her side’s run-scoring charts with 350 runs at a strike rate of 73.83 and an average of 35 across 10 innings, including a half-century and a century. She’s also snared 8 wickets at an average of 33.12 and an economy of 4.80, highlighted by a four-wicket haul, placing her fourth overall in tournament runs, despite the team’s recent 95-run loss to Canterbury Magicians on February 15, 2026.
Robertson’s domestic journey spans 16 seasons, marked by grit, leadership, and dual-sport prowess. Before captaining Otago to back-to-back Hallyburton Johnstone Shield titles in the prior two seasons, she helmed Northern Brave to their first national final, a high-scoring heartbreak where her century couldn’t overcome Auckland Hearts. With 142 List A matches and 138 T20s under her belt, she’s one of New Zealand domestic cricket’s most experienced skippers. Her family ties to the Black Caps add to the lore: brother Oliver and sister Susannah represented New Zealand at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Switching from elite badminton in 2015, Robertson joined Otago in 2021 after 12 years with Northern Brave, where she debuted as a schoolgirl in 2009. She etched her name in the Northern Districts history with two top six all-time scores, an unbeaten 131* in 2018/19 and 124 in the 2019/20 final, amassing 1,645 runs (fourth highest) in 86 matches and 72 T20s (second-most capped behind Caitlin Gurrey). Internationally, she became a double White Fern in 2014/15, playing eight T20Is (including the 2014 T20 World Cup) and one ODI, where she claimed a stunning 5/18 against West Indies.
A bulging disc and back surgeries sidelined her a decade ago, but her Otago resurgence delivered champion’s medals, 443 T20 runs (Sparks top 10), and two HJS centuries, including 123 against Central Hinds this summer, among 1,204 runs in blue and gold. Overall, her domestic ledger boasts 4,229 runs and 156 wickets. As one-day captain since 2023/24, she ignited a culture of resilience alongside head coach Craig Cumming, earning Sparks HJS Player of the Year last season.
Current Sparks head coach Gareth Davies captured her essence: “Her commitment to both cricket and Otago has been nothing short of outstanding. Balancing the demands of work, life, and cricket is never easy, yet she has shown time and again her dedication, resilience, and heart, a true testament to her character. She leaves not only as a successful captain, but as someone who has genuinely made a difference.”
Leading from the front in her farewell campaign, Robertson topped the run-scoring charts for her side. Teammate Suzie Bates paid glowing tribute: “She’s a true competitor and has shown incredible resilience in the way she’s fought back from injuries and setbacks. Since moving to Otago, she’s not only made the team stronger but has also helped lead us to back-to-back HBJ titles. We’ve been so lucky to share the field with her at the Otago Sparks, where she has left a legacy that will be felt for years to come.”
Robertson’s swansong underscores a career where stats meet story, resilience forged in adversity, and leadership that lifted teams to glory. Domestic women’s cricket bids adieu to a trailblazer.
(Quotes sourced from New Zealand Cricket Press Release)
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