24 September 2007 By Verena Stocker
The Universities Women’s Cricket Club, a combination of the Sydney University and University of New South Wales women’s cricket clubs, will boast a strong team in the 2007-08 Sydney competition starting on October 7.
Included in the line-up are Australian representatives Lisa Sthalekar and twins Kate and Alex Blackwell. Also in the squad are rising stars Alison Parkin (NSW Breakers) and Sara Hungerford (NSW A’s)
And coming off the back of a tied series against New Zealand as part of the Australian Youth team, new recruit Kate Owen will be the only change to this years’ line-up and will be a valuable addition to the team.
Sthalekar and the Blackwell sisters recently returned from India, where the Australians took out the ICC Women’s Quadrangular Series. The series, played against India, New Zealand, and England proved a challenge for the Aussies, who lost their first two games.
However, in an amazing effort that required the team to win all remaining matches, the Australians did just that and went on to produce a six-wicket thumping of New Zealand in the final.
Despite the impact of heat and cultural differences, Sthalekar described the performance of the Australians as being the best brand of cricket possible.
Sthalekar captained the national side after injury to regular skipper Karen Rolton and capped off a great competition when she was named Player of the Tournament.
Later this summer the Australians will play one Test, one Twenty20, and five one-dayers against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground and Bowral as part of a three-week tour. The Australians will then travel to New Zealand for five one-dayers and a Twenty20 match against the Kiwis.