Wolumla’s Janet King scored the first half-century in the debut women’s cricket draw on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Batting for Kameruka on Lord’s View Oval, Janet clinched three wickets and knocked 56 runs.
“I was looking forward to playing at the ground where I first learnt to play cricket, but it was surreal getting on the pitch at Kameruka for the first time in a while,” Janet said.
The artificial pitch has become somewhat alien to the teenage rep star who plays mostly on the turf in the Canberra competition for Eastlake.
“I have to get used to playing on synthetic again because they handle very differently,” she said.
Her stint of 56 also featured the competition’s first few sixes.
“I’ve been batting pretty well so I’m starting to enjoy that more since I’m actually making runs for once,” she said with a laugh.
“I’ve always loved fielding because it gets everyone involved, you are always moving around and you never know if the ball is going to come straight at you so there is a real nervous energy evertime the ball is bowled, it’s a great feeling.”
It didn’t take much convincing for Janet to sign up for the local contest.
“When I first heard the [women’s] competition was happening I was very excited, but unsure of how many teams and numbers we would get,” she said.
“I am very glad four teams have entered with a good amount of players.”
She said it was a great opening round for the fledgling season; there are skills to be gained, but Janet said everyone will take something away from the seven-week competition.
“I am very confident everyone - including players like Jade, Jessie and myself - will improve and take things into their own game as the season moves along.”
Having played since she was seven, Janet said she often found herself the only girl in a team of boys and it had never fazed her, but growing pathways for female players was a good sign for women in the sport.
“I’ve never felt judged [on the field], I think the people down here love watching us girls play and most of my coaches have always encouraged me to keep up with the sport and get amongst the boys and give them a run for their money,” she said.
“But with new pathways there is so much on offer for girls from all areas and I was pleased to see the number of local girls double at the ACT/Southern Districts training.
“Hopefully the growth will continue as time goes on.”
She said the Twenty20 format is good for a starting competition as it provides a quick match, but also makes everyone feel involved in the game.
“Personally i prefer one-dayers because when I bat I can take my time and get my eye in to play my shots before really going for it, but I prefer watching T20 games because of the fast-pace.”
Results:
Despite the knock, Eden were able to clinch the opening result over Kameruka in the final over.
Meanwhile, Tathra proved too strong with the bat to secure a handy win over South Euro.
This weekend the Kameruka side head to Dalmeny where they will face the South Eurobodalla with the game to play at Dalmeny Oval 10.30am Sunday.
Eden will play host to Tathra in the second round with that game at the Eden Cricket Ground from 10.30am on Sunday.