Dandenong cricketer Sarah Edwards will captain the Victorian Spirit side in the Women’s National Cricket League this season. By Glen Atwell
DANDENONG cricketer Sarah Edwards is proud to have played a part in bringing the Ashes back to Australia this year.
Forgetting the men’s cricket, the talented 23-year-old has just been named the new captain of the Victorian Spirit team, the reigning champions in the Women’s National Cricket League.
Edwards first represented Victoria when she was 19 and the striking stroke-maker has blasted her way onto the international women’s cricketing scene.
Edwards said touring to England this year was one of her most cherished career highlights.
“Getting the call-up to the national side was amazing. I made my debut for Australia in the final one-day international game and also played in the first ever Twenty-20 match between the two countries,” she said.
Australia won both games and finished the series with 5-3 wins, but Edwards said the England women were a lot better than expected.
“They were very talented, they came out swinging and gave us a real run for our money,” she said.
Playing in an Ashes series is |literally a world away from |when Edwards made her way onto |the pitch for Buckley Ridges |Junior Cricket Club back in 1997.
Edwards now plays for Dandenong in the district first league, the highest Victorian domestic competition.
But in two weeks, when the state league season starts, Edwards will be taking to the field as new captain of her Victorian Spirit side.
The Spirit captured the national title last year, after defeating arch rivals New South Wales in the final.
After struggling for form in 2002/03 and only playing one match, the 2003/04 season saw Edwards represent the Spirit in 10 matches, missing only the third final.
Edwards played in all the Spirit matches last season, scoring 281 runs at an average of 25.55.
Juggling cricket and full-time work as a physiotherapist, Edwards said public awareness of women’s cricket was growing all the time.
She is also helping launch a new Twenty-20 competition in Dandenong for girls under 17.
The competition is played at the Dandenong Showgrounds on Monday nights and Edwards said anyone interested in the sport should have a go.
“With the Twenty-20 format, the game does not take a whole day and it is fast and entertaining, it opens up opportunities for people to get onto the field and have a go,” she said.
Those interested in playing the exciting new brand of cricket should contact the Dandenong Women’s Cricket Club on 5988 9170.
