“It’s a big tick of approval for me and the character I’ve shown over a long playing ­career,” Blackwell told The Daily Telegraph.

The 34-year-old called time on her international and state career after winning the WNCL with NSW earlier this year but the all-rounded will play in the WBBL this coming summer with Sydney Thunder.

Her career spanned 15 years and included 251 internationals, which saw her captain Australia to a T20 World Cup victory and an Ashes series. 

Blackwell is also the current coach of the Lancashire Tigers.