By ROY WARD
DANDENONG cricketer Julie Hunter may not have had a major impact in Australia’s Women’s World Cup victory in Sri Lanka last week, but the veteran bowler managed to get the match-winning wicket to kick-start the Southern Stars’ celebrations.
The 28 year old said being part of the Southern Stars’ limited overs World Cup win was one of her career highlights, while watching long-time teammate Lisa Sthalekar dive low to pull in the catch which sealed the win was a moment she would never forget.
Hunter and the Southern Stars arrived home from Sri Lanka on Thursday with players already planning to rejoin their club sides for the final weeks of the season.
“It was one of those moments you dream of as a little kid,” Hunter said. “The way I’ve described it is that it would be surreal if it didn’t feel so good.”
Hunter said she was especially happy to see Sthalekar, who retired after the match, take the classic catch.
“I think everyone wants that last wicket of the match, so I was happy to come on and get that one,” she said. “Lisa took a really good catch, it was very difficult.”
Hunter opened the bowling in the final as the Southern Stars looked to defend their total of 7-259 but she struggled to swing the ball so other bowlers were pushed into the attack as Hunter finished with 1-18 from 4.1 overs.
But she said in a tournament every player had a job to do and her role was reduced in this match.
With the World Cup coming at the end of the Australian summer, Hunter said her side had been especially well prepared heading into the tournament.
“The timing was good as it came off the back of the domestic season,” she said. “Fortunately we had all summer to get into form and we showed that form in Sri Lanka.
“All the girls worked hard and even through times where we are not able to play, all the players still keep doing what needs to done to stay ready to play. I really enjoyed it over there; I’m a person who loves the heat.
“We visited Sri Lanka earlier on for a training camp and I’d played there in 2004, so I was familiar enough with conditions to feel comfortable and focus on doing what needed to be done.”
Hunter, who plays with Dandenong women’s cricket club, also said her club side had helped her prepare for the World Cup.
“The Dandenong girls are great; they have been really good support. We have a lot of young girls down there and that makes it much easier to enjoy playing cricket.”
Hunter now turns her attention to finishing the season with Dandenong and with the Victorian team while also getting back into her teaching studies as she keeps working towards a degree in physical education teaching at Victoria University.
“We still have a few weeks left in the season and then I’ll have a bit of a break.”
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