2-9 JANUARY 2003, CANBERRA AUSTRALIAN UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP – FEMALE Contents A word from the Chief Executive Officer A word from the Chief Executive Officer . .3 2003 international series: Australia Under-19 v England Under-19 . .4 Welcome to Canberra for the Australian Under-19 Championship – Female. Lisa Sthalekar: the fighting spirit beneath the rising star . .5 Underage championships for male and female cricketers are becoming more important for the continued development of players and the growth of the game. New South Wales retain the Betty Wilson Shield in 2001-02 . .6 The championships provide opportunities for young players to build the skills and experience needed to perform at higher levels. They are the development centres from which we hope History of the under-19 championship . .7 to channel our most promising players into senior grade cricket, state honours and Australian team selection. ACB Game Development maps the future of Australian cricket . .9 Twenty-two players from the Australian Under-19 Championship – Female (including the former under-18 competition) have gone on to represent Australia in international cricket. Cricket development in Australia’s capital . .9 This list includes two of the most experienced Australian players in senior Playing conditions and match venues . .10 captain Belinda Clark and vice-captain Karen Rolton, and last year’s Australian youth captain Lisa Sthalekar and vice- ACB codes and policies . .11 captain Clea Smith. Since the Australian Under-19 Australian Capital Territory . .12 Championship – Female has existed in its own right (1996-97), New South New South Wales . .13 Wales has claimed all six championship titles. Queensland . .14 Last year, New South Wales defeated Victoria by 98 runs to retain the Betty South Australia . .15 Wilson Shield. Women’s cricket in Australia is growing Tasmania . .16 and the underage competitions continue to demonstrate the strength Victoria . .17 and popularity of the sport. The championship is indebted to the support and commitment of the legion of volunteers, Western Australia . .18 friends and family who dedicate many hours to the game. The Australian Capital Territory Cricket Association should be acknowledged for its contribution in hosting this year’s championship. I wish all teams and officials success in their quest for the coveted championship title. Championship organising committee Media contact in Canberra Office staff Geoff Pryor Janine Stainer Catherine Chippendale Lynda Stubbs ACB Senior Officer Host Championship Coordinator Catherine Chippendale Women’s Cricket Development Tel: 0412 766 681 Chris Howell Tel: 0418 469 271 Anne Howell Janine Stainer SJ Moore ACB Public Affairs Match Referee Peter Gulbransen Patrick O’Beirne Tel: 0418 469 271 John Jason-Jones Corporate Communications Manager Tel: 0408 998 856 England under-19 media contact Championship office Richard Bates JAMES SUTHERLAND Bradman Pavillion, Manuka Oval Stephanie Beltrame Team Manager Manuka Circle Public Affairs Project Officer Tel: 0416 265 011 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Manuka ACT Tel: 0409 524 482 Tel: 02 6239 6002 Fax: 02 6295 7135 Website: www.cricketact.com This publication was produced by ACB Public Affairs, 60 Jolimont Street, Jolimont, Victoria, 3002, telephone (03) 9653 9999. AUSTRALIAN UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP – FEMALE AUSTRALIAN UNDER-19 CHAMPIONSHIP – FEMALE 2 3 2003 international series: Australia Under-19 v England Under-19 Lisa Sthalekar: the fighting spirit beneath the rising star Strong performances in the 2002-03 Australian Under-19 At the conclusion of the championship, both national under- Lisa Sthalekar is embarking on what should be an extremely “As the women’s game keeps growing, we should see more Championship – Female could lead to Australian selection 19 teams will travel from Canberra to Bowral. rewarding summer. The New South Wales Institute of Sport players coming through the underage competitions where for the 2003 international series against England. The 13-player England under-19 squad, announced in (NSWIS) Blues star is to play her 50th Women’s National they really start to develop and hopefully, they’ll one day play For the first time, an international under-19 female series November, arrives in Canberra on 1 January before its first Cricket League (WNCL) match, claim her 50th WNCL wicket, for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars.” will be staged this year between Australia and England. match at the Australian Under-19 Championship – Female close in on 1000 WNCL career runs and, as the list of Sthalekar, while still just 23 years of age, is considered a against Tasmania on 2 January. accolades lengthens, possibly add an Australian Test debut seasoned performer for her state team, and a vital cog in The series will provide the opportunity for both teams to gain to the mix. valuable competition at an international level and help prepare the Australian line-up. She took out the Player of the Finals the players for possible senior international duties in the future. Sthalekar began her cricket career as many players do – in award in the WNCL finals series in February 2002, before The England under-19 squad is: the backyard. Her father’s love of the game quickly rubbed captaining the Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars to The England under-19 team arrives on Australian shores Sallianne Briggs Sheffield RHB off on the emerging youngster as she developed her own victory in three of its four matches against New Zealand for two one-day international matches against their Laura Harper Somerset RHB, OB passion for the sport and an all-round ability that last season A later that month. The youth captain then joined the Australian counterparts at Bowral in New South Wales, Rosalie Birch Brighton RHB propelled her into both the top five run-scorers and wicket- Australian senior side to play a strong role in its 5-1 Rose on 14 and 15 January. Leanne Davies Dale Wanderers RMF takers list in the WNCL. Bowl win against New Zealand in March. Ahead of its international matches, the England side will Stephanie Davis Somerset RMF, RHB Lydia Greenway Hayes LHB While women’s cricket in Australia continues to build a Despite her recent achievements, cricket hasn’t always been compete in this year’s Australian Under-19 Championship healthy profile and clear pathways for young female smooth sailing for Sthalekar. After losing her mother to a long – Female in Canberra. Isa Guha Reading Ridgeway RF, RHB Jenny Gunn Thrumpton RF, RHB cricketers to follow, Sthalekar is one of the first players battle with illness last year, Sthalekar has had to overcome a The Australian under-19 team for the international series will Laura Joyce Shepparton WKT, RHB to progress from the restructured Australian Under-19 tough period in her life to regain her focus on cricket. be announced at the completion of the Australian Under-19 Alexis Mannion Loughton RHB Championship – Female to the international level. “I’ve made sure that I make the most of my opportunities Championship – Female in Canberra on 9 January. Kate Oakenfold Brighton RHB, RMF “The under-19 championship was a fantastic experience. and stay open to learning new skills and embracing The 12-player side will be selected by former Test player and Alexia Walker Brighton RHB, RMF I was able to make so many friends and was lucky enough experiences along the way,” she said. Australian Chairperson of Selectors Margaret Jennings, and Helen Wardlaw Wakefield RHB, OB to win the tournament each year that I competed,” she said. “At the championships, you have to perform consistently Australian youth selectors Glenys Thatcher and Shane Souter. Jane Powell Coach “The championship showed me the standard I had to every day for a week and that’s a tough assignment. Richard Bates Manager play to make it to the next level. It’s important that the The one thing I focussed on in particular, was to be players make the most of their time at the event, and physically and mentally tough for what lay ahead.” use the experience to develop their game to become Team selection criteria “Learning to cope with this expectation and pressure to better cricketers. perform has helped me develop a strong mindset to deal Commonwealth Bank Shooting To be eligible for selection in the Australian under-19 team, with things today, both on and off the field.” a player must have competed in the Australian Under-19 Stars (Australian youth team) Championship – Female and be under 19 years-of-age as at 1 September 2002. The Australian youth team, the Commonwealth Bank Players selected in the Australian youth team (under-23) Shooting Stars, take on the senior England women’s are ineligible for the Australian under-19 team unless the team in a two-day match at Allan Border Field on 12 selectors deem a player worthy of a leadership opportunity and 13 February. with the Australian under-19 team. The Commonwealth Bank Shooting Stars side will be This policy has been introduced to maximise the opportunities announced on Tuesday 21 January. for players to compete in international youth cricket matches The England team is in Brisbane to prepare for its two- in 2002-03. Players impacted by this policy will be informed Test Ashes series against the Australian women’s team, prior to the announcement of the Australian under-19 team. the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in February. “At the championships, you The first Test is scheduled for the Gabba (15-18 have to perform consistently February) with the second Test to be played at Sydney’s every day for a week and Bankstown Oval (22-25 February). that’s a tough assignment. The one thing I focussed on in particular, was to be physically and mentally tough for what lay ahead.” RHB – right-hand bat, LHB – left-hand bat, WKT – wicket-keeper, LB – right-arm leg break and googly bowler, – Lisa Sthalekar SLC – slow left-arm wrist-spinner, SLA – slow left-arm orthodox spinner, OB – right-arm off-spinner, RM – right-arm medium, RMF – right-arm medium fast, RF – right-arm fast, LM – left-arm medium, LMF – left-arm medium fast, LF – left-arm fast, AR – all-rounder.