Kate
Blackwell retires from cricket, 26 August 2010
Adapted from www.cricketnsw.com.au
NSW
Breakers and Universities Cricket Club stalwart, Kate Blackwell, has announced her retirement from cricket,
bringing to an end a career that saw her part of six National titles with NSW
and Australia’s World Cup victory in 2005.
Growing up
in Yenda in the Riverina region, Kate Blackwell played 76 National League (50
over) games and 10 domestic Twenty20 games for the NSW Breakers. She first
represented Australia in 2004, going on to play four Tests, 41 One Day
Internationals and six Twenty20 Internationals.
She and her
twin sister, Alex, are also the first set of identical twins to represent
Australia in cricket.
Kate was an
exciting middle order player with the ability to score quickly and frustrate
opposition attacks with her creative stroke play.
She is one
of only five players to have been a part of each of the Breakers’ five
consecutive National title winning sides between 2005/06 and 2009/10. She was
vice-captain of the team in 2006/07 and played a major role in the Breakers’
success that summer, finishing as the competition’s leading batter with 362 runs
at an average of 45.25.
Just last
month she also completed a stint with English county side, Middlesex, where she
scored 256 runs in three matches with an average of 256 and strike rate of
91.43.
Blackwell
rated representing Australia in the 2005 World Cup and Ashes Tests, as well as
being part of the first ever Australian women’s Twenty20 side and numerous
National titles with the Breakers as the highlights of her career and while
difficult, she was comfortable with her decision to retire from the game she
loved.
“I believe
I have given my all during my time with NSW and in return I have received so
much. I’ve made so many wonderful, lifelong friends and have been part of
building our remarkable culture of success, enjoyment, high standards and support
of one another,” she said.
“There are
so many people I need to thank. Kerry Marshall in particular has been a great
mentor and friend of mine from the time I first represented NSW in the U/17s
right through to today. Belinda Clark, Lisa Keightley and Julie Hayes were the
players I looked up to and I was very lucky to have played alongside them. My
sister, Alex, has been my biggest supporter, my closest training buddy, and my
friend.
“I have
been very fortunate to have been involved with Cricket NSW and Cricket
Australia. What they have done for women’s cricket is something that we do not
take for granted. And finally I thank the people of Griffith and the Riverina
for the interest they have shown in my career, and my parents John and Lorraine
for helping me to follow my dream,” she said.
“This
is very sad news however we respect Kate’s decision. She has been a very
important part of the Breakers for eight seasons and has always conducted
herself in a professional manner. She will be sorely missed,” said Cricket NSW
Chief Executive, David Gilbert.
NSW
captain, Alex Blackwell, praised her sister’s dedication.
“Kate
helped build the culture of excellence and enjoyment within the Breakers squad.
She is one of the most passionate and hard working cricketers you will ever
meet and I know she will take these qualities into her future pursuits,” she
said.
“It is sad
for me to hear her say farewell after 20 years in cricket together. I am proud
to have competed alongside her and I owe so much to her. I would not be the
cricketer I am today without Kate,” she added.
