The importance of Heather Knight’s legacy is difficult to measure.

In a numbers game, its impact goes much further.

The former captain has seen it all in a record 320 games, 199 of them in charge during nine grueling but era-defining years.

The euphoria of that World Cup victory at Lord’s in 2017, the same ground on which he now walks away from the game, juxtaposed by the crushing low of a brutal Ashes thrashing that brought down the curtain on his captaincy.

At all times, in good and bad times, he was exemplary in his professionalism.

She faced difficult interviews after each loss, never wavered in her support of her teammates, worked relentlessly hard after injuries threatened to end her career before she was ready.

It’s quite fitting and a testament to his character, that when asked about his career highlights, Knight mentioned his work off the field rather than anything fans and media saw in him.

Knight replaced the legendary Charlotte Edwards as captain in 2016, two years after England’s first central contracts were introduced, and was tasked with leading the team through the transition from amateur to professional.

He also spoke about the huge pay gap between the men’s and women’s competitions in The Hundred.

Along with his predecessor Nat Sciver-Brunt, the feeling of calm and security when Knight was in the middle is one that very few have been able to replicate.

And Ashes’ humiliation should not and does not undo everything she leaves behind. He has earned his farewell parade under the sun of the Lord.

From Heather Knight to English cricket, it’s goodbye. From English cricket to Knight, it’s a thank you.