Apple Isle just what the doctor ordered for Vakarewa

Life in Hobart suits Belinda Vakarewa – even if she has yet to find that elusive, perfect fishing spot.

The native New South Welshwoman swapped Sydney life for the Apple Isle earlier this year, taking up contracts with both the Hobart Hurricanes and Tasmania Tigers.

The 21-year-old was lured by the promise of increased opportunity and the chance to work under coach Salliann Briggs, as she looks to add to her one international appearance.

The chance to move with two of her NSW and Sydney Thunder teammates in Nicola Carey and Maisy Gibson was no doubt an added incentive, and the fact her mother Marie is currently living in Launceston was the icing on the cake.

So far, the move appears to be paying off for Vakarewa, an athletic fast bowler, who has been handed both the new ball and given responsibility at the death of an innings.

From nine matches this season she's second on the Rebel WBBL wickets table with 15 scalps at 14.66, alongside a tidy economy rate of 6.13.

"I've definitely had a lot more opportunity with the ball … it's good to get out on the park but also to feel a little bit more pressure, opening and closing the overs," Vakarewa told cricket.com.au.

"I want to take the next step as a player and develop a little more, and I felt like they could offer that.

"Sal (Briggs) is awesome, she has a ton of knowledge and tells you how it is, which is what you need sometimes.

"(Plus) my mum lives in Tasmania, so I can just drive up and see her whenever I want, which is cheaper than a plane flight."

 

Growing up in Campbelltown in Western Sydney, cricket was not the original sport of choice in the Vakarewa household.

That honour belonged to rugby union; hardly surprising given her father, Jone, was born in Fiji and spent the first 26 years of his life on the rugby-loving island before moving to Australia, where he met Vakarewa's mother. 

But when a young Vakarewa and her brother came across a leaflet for a 'come and try' cricket day at primary school, a new love was born.

"As a child, I really liked playing sports and just being as active as possible," Vakarewa said.

"My brother and I got a note from school … and we ended up playing together for the next four seasons."

Image Id: 08C7E9EDFC5E44BEB13C7F8084CF530C Image Caption: Belinda Vakarewa celebrates a wicket with her Tassie teammates // Getty

 

Eager to encourage his daughter's newfound passion, Jone set about finding out everything he could about cricket as both parents took on coaching duties.

"My dad had no idea how to play cricket, he was a big rugby man," she said.

"When he found out I wanted to play cricket, he had to go out and learn about the sport before he could teach me.

"He went out and asked his friends how to bowl and how to hold a bat, and then he'd take us to the park and say, 'I've heard this is how you do it'."

When she's not playing cricket, you will more than likely find Vakarewa with fishing rod in hand, spending time with her family, or hanging out with her housemates, fellow Hurricanes players Carey and Gibson.

"It is beautiful down here, I really love it at the moment," Vakarewa explains.

"I'm still trying to find a good fishing spot, which is the hardest part because I've currently caught nothing, but otherwise it's great, it's a breath of fresh air.

"It's been really good living with Maisy and Nic. Nic's been away on Aussie tours a lot, but living with Maisy is great, she loves to cook which is handy."

Vakarewa has played one ODI for Australia, during their 2017 World Cup campaign in England.

Image Id: E93323269B0D4D77A669E8873930E0D0 Image Caption: Vakarewa recieves her Aussie cap in Bristol during the 2017 World Cup // Getty

She was part of the one-day outfit that toured India in March last year, but spent the series stricken by food poisoning and did not play a match.

Increased responsibility with the Hurricanes and Tigers could help press her case for a recall – or at least put her firmly in the running for a place in the Australia A squad to host India in December – but for now, Vakarewa's focus remains on the Big Bash.

"Anything I can get (selection-wise) I'll take, but I'm just trying to get through this season and hopefully get some wins on the board for the Hurricanes," she said.

"We've all learnt a lot this season, we've all had good days with the ball and with the bat so hopefully in the next couple of games we can bring it all together and win some games."

This weekend, Hobart will host the WBBL Festival Weekend action at Blundstone Arena.

On Friday night, the Hurricanes take on the Heat from 7.10pm local, before another nighttime encounter against the Strikers on Saturday.

On Sunday, the Thunder and the Strikers will go head to head at 10am.