HAWKESBURY cricketer Naomi Stalenberg has wrapped up a sensational domestic cricket season by helping the NSW Breakers win their 19th Women’s National Cricket League championship, and in the process earning a spot on the Australia T20 squad to tour India in March.
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On Saturday, the Breakers defeated Western Australia to claim yet another championship in the WNCL.
The Breakers won the one-day match by 51 runs, and farewelled their captain Alex Blackwell, who has retired from all cricket bar the Women’s Big Bash League.
“It was a really special day, with Alex retiring from domestic cricket and we were happy to get the win for her,” said Stalenberg.
Stalenberg made 28 runs from 33 balls in the match, and also took the winning catch in the field.
Stalenberg said it was great to be part of another championship. In her short career, Stalenberg has already played in five finals, winning four of them.
Stalenberg said playing in the loss was not a great feeling, but had loved every minute of her career with a NSW team, which has never missed a WNCL final.
“I'm pretty proud to be part of such a strong team, which has a strong history. It is amazing to be part of it,” she said.
Next up is a tour of India, where the T20 squad will play six matches in a tri-series against England and India.
Stalenberg said she was looking forward to the tour of India, with an eye to the Women's World Twenty20, coming up later this year.
Stalenberg said she was determined to prove she had what it took to play at an international level.
“I'd love to put my hand up this series and put my name down for that tour. Playing in a world cup would be amazing,” she said.
“Hopefully we can get some strong performances out there. I am really excited to be back in the T20. I think this tour is what I need to secure a permanent position in the Australian team.”
Stalenberg is coming off the back of a great domestic cricket season. She played well in the WNCL, but excelled in the Women’s Big Bash League for the Sydney Thunder.
The highlight of the season was a player of the match performance against the Sydney Sixers.
“I'm happy with how my season went. I felt like a I had a lot more consistency this season,” she said.
“I started batting at six and ended up at four. I felt like I truly earned every single run that I made. I felt like I was hitting the ball cleaner. I had a lot of confidence out there when I was batting and gained a lot of maturity.”
Once other aspect of her game that has improved is fielding. Her match winning catch in the WNCL final was a ‘sitter’ and one she should have caught according to Stalenberg, but she has been taking a lot more catches this season.
“I think I've had a good season in the field and I've tried to improve on my catching,” she said.
Her hard work was rewarded, with her being placed into key catch taking positions in the field during both the WNCL and WBBL seasons.
Meanwhile, Stalenberg said she was stoked at how women’s cricket was becoming hugely popular.
“I think it is an absolute honour to be part of a competition that has taken off so quickly,” she said.
“It is great to play alongside some of the great international players who have joined the WBBL. It is special.”
