By JARROD POTTER
“CRICKET has definitely given me a lot more than what I ever expected … more than I’ve given it, so I definitely appreciate what the game has been able to give me.”
After a phenomenal career in the navy blue, former VicSpirit captain Kelly Applebee, 33, has announced her retirement following Sunday’s season-ending loss to New South Wales.
With 116 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) matches and 59 Twenty20s under her belt – more than any other player – Applebee said it was time to bow out and focus on the next chapter – raising her daughter Ella and featuring for the Melbourne Stars in the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
“I’ve been thinking about it for a little while and been reflecting on me as a player and the time commitment that it takes to train and prepare as much as you possibly can,” Applebee said. “I’ve got a little five month old daughter Ella as well, so it’s probably a really good time for me and the team as well, we’ve got some good young players coming through and the timing just felt right.
“It’s quite bizarre to think I’ve played my last game for Victoria – started playing when I was 18 and it’s been half my life-time playing for the one side -so I don’t think it will be until I watch the girls play next season that it will become reality.”
The City of Greater Dandenong 2014 Sportsperson of the Year – who tirelessly works to improve Dandenong Women’s Cricket Club – moved to Melbourne from Bairnsdale as an 18-year-old and ever since she has piled on the achievements for Victoria.
She amassed 2894 runs for Victoria since her debut in 2001 and also picked up two one-day premierships (2003 and 2005) and triumphed in Women’s T20 (2010 and 2012).
But her greatest cricketing memories are of team mates and great opponents – with these people of cricket set to always feature in her life off the field.
“I was out there when Meg Lanning made her first hundred, was out there with Sarah (Elliott) making her ton the other week,” Applebee said. “Being out there celebrating a player’s first wicket or handing over their cap coming into the team for the first time – they’re moments I’ll never ever forget and stuff I’ve been really proud of.
“I’ve played with some amazing cricketers along the way and learned so much about cricket and life from them, so I’m very, very proud to say I’ve played with some of the best in the world and some I call really good friends today.”
Applebee isn’t done with high-calibre cricket though; she will add a new cap to her collection on debut for the Melbourne Stars in their inaugural WBBL game on 5 December at the Junction Oval, St Kilda, against the Brisbane Heat, starting at 10am as part of a WBBL double-header.
“The Women’s Big Bash is a really exciting competition and is fantastic for women’s cricket in general,” Applebee said. “It will feel quite strange to be playing against someone like Sarah (Elliott) – Sarah and I have nearly played all our cricket together and will be weird lining up against her.
“Melbourne Stars have really embraced the women’s game and have the motto – one club, two teams – and has been great with its commitment to exposing our team to everyone as much as possible.”
She hasn’t made a decision on her future playing Women’s Premier Cricket with Dandenong, but whether she plays or not Applebee will always be a fixture around Greaves Reserve, helping push the club along as a coach.
“I don’t think they’ve seen the last of me just yet,” Applebee said. “Dandenong has been my home away from home – moving down to Melbourne when I was 18 – and I’ve definitely got a lot left to give back to the club.”
