Brilliant Blackwell joins the legends

Clark. Rolton. Blackwell.

Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars vice-captain Alex Blackwell joined a pair of Australian cricket legends the moment she moved to 49 during a vital innings in yesterday’s 78-run win in the second one-day international in Dambulla.

Blackwell yesterday became just the third Australian woman – and ninth internationally – to record 3,000 runs in ODI cricket, joining ICC Cricket Hall of Fame members Belinda Clark and Karen Rolton in the exclusive club.

The experienced batter had a point to prove in yesterday’s encounter following her first-ball duck in Sunday’s series opener, but she didn’t have it all her own way despite a solid platform from openers Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani, as well as No.3 Meg Lanning.

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Blackwell walked to the crease following the loss of two wickets in five balls and was soon watching from the other end as Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen and Alyssa Healy fell in the space of two overs.

The 33-year-old was as calm and composed as ever, weathering the storm before unleashing some brutal strokeplay to propel the tourists to a total that would prove too great for the Sri Lankans.

Back-to-back lofted drives over the off-side field – first for six and then for four – could easily lay claim to the shots of the day as Blackwell posted the 22^nd ODI half century of her illustrious career.

Speaking with cricket.com.au after Australia took a two-nil series lead and secured a spot at next year’s ICC World Cup, Blackwell said it was a special feeling to move alongside two of her idols.

“I had no idea that was a milestone coming up,” Blackwell said after the 78-run victory in the second ODI.

“To hear that I’m the third Australian to pass 3,000 ODI runs is very special, (joining) two of my heroes before me, Belinda Clark and Karen Rolton.”

Blackwell made her debut more than 13 years ago in a star-studded Australian line-up.

Often batting at numbers six and seven in her early days, Blackwell was also thrown the ball on occasions, which she laughingly suggested may come as a surprise to her current teammates.

“I was privileged to start my Australian career alongside Belinda and Karen and Fitzy (Cathryn Fitzpatrick) and Keighters (Lisa Keightley),” Blackwell said. “Legends of our game.

“We had an incredibly strong batting line-up and I was probably bowling a little bit more.

“The girls won’t even remembered that I bowled!

“I guess I learned what it meant to play for Australia. These girls never gave up.

“There was a real winning culture and I believe that’s what we’ve got in our team at the moment.”

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Blackwell’s career ODI average of 34.96 doesn’t quite do justice to the sense of reliability she has consistently brought to the middle order for more than five years, following stints as an opener and first drop.

Current Southern Stars head coach Matthew Mott has seen Blackwell’s incredible dedication to the game up close for a number of years now, firstly in his time coaching at New South Wales and now as national coach for close to 16 months.

Mott was full of praise for his side’s most experienced player, not only for what she brings in the field and with the willow, but also the standard she sets for her younger teammates.

“The first thing that stands out with Alex is professionalism,” Mott told cricket.com.au after yesterday’s win.

“She’s left no stone unturned throughout her whole career.

“It’s no coincidence she’s been a heavy runscorer over a long period of time. You don’t get those sort of milestones without being tough, uncompromising and she’s just a pleasure to coach.

“She wants to get better every day. She’s played for the best part of a decade and she’s still as hungry as any of the young players coming in the team.

“As a role model, she’s right up the top of the tree.”

The good news for Southern Stars fans is that Blackwell is showing no signs of slowing down.

Since the start of last year’s Ashes campaign – a timeframe spanning 11 matches - the only Southern Star with a greater ODI average than Blackwell’s 55.28 is captain Lanning’s 62.80.

She even suggests chasing down Clark and Rolton is not entirely out of the question with the pair sitting on 4,844 and 4,814 runs respectively.

“I believe there are quite a few runs to get to chase them down,” Blackwell said.

“Maybe that’s a really good goal for me now.

“I’ve got to get myself up the order a bit perhaps!

“It’s wonderful to achieve those sorts of milestones.

“I’m just pleased to have been able to adapt and add to my game.”