Sthalekar awarded NSW Life Membership

Australia legend Lisa Sthalekar’s outstanding career in both international and domestic cricket has been honoured with the former allrounder granted Cricket NSW Life Membership on Monday.

Sthalekar, the 19th woman to receive the award, has enjoyed a long and decorated career both at international level and for the NSW Breakers, winning two World Cups, two World T20s and an incredible 14 Women’s National Cricket League titles. 

Of those 14 WNCL titles, won across 16 seasons, Sthalekar captained five.

Image Id: DB206E80A9D343599814DC9C182E04D5 Image Caption: The NSW Breakers celebrate winning the 2011-12 WNCL title // Getty

The 38-year-old, who retired from cricket in 2013 only to return to line up for the Sydney Sixers in the first two seasons of the Rebel WBBL, has forged a career in commentary since calling time on her international playing days.

With Sthalekar currently in the West Indies commentating on the Caribbean Premier League, her Life Membership was accepted by her father Haren.

Sharing her gratitude on social media, Indian-born Sthalekar – who was adopted as a baby by her father and mother Syu from an orphanage in Pune – said it was fitting that he accepted the honour, given his influence on her love for the sport.

"Almost every season that Lisa played for NSW either in under-aged competitions or with the Breakers she was part of a title-winning team,” Cricket NSW chairman John Warn said.

"To put some numbers around this phenomenal achievement, she was part of 14 Lendlease Breakers WNCL titles in 16 years, including five as captain.

"Lisa was also part of the historic Breakers team which achieved the double in what was planned to be her last season, 2012-13, when they claimed the WNCL and old state-based Twenty20 titles in the same season."

Image Id: 8BBE889B8BEB42B094F6FCC9076AEF58 Image Caption: Sthalekar won two World T20 titles with Australia // Getty

Sthalekar played eight Tests, 125 ODIs and 54 T20s for Australia.

She sits third on the all-time ODI wickets list, while she’s Australia’s fifth-highest run scorer in the one-day format.

On the Test arena, she scored an unbeaten century against England in Sydney in 2003.

The allrounder is also the Breakers’ most-capped one-day player, having represented her state in 145 matches.

Image Id: 92FE68AD4B1B49E1A101DA4B394D9041 Image Caption: Sthalekar with Alex and Kate Blackwell after winning the 2005 World Cup // Getty

Cricket NSW Chief Executive Andrew Jones said Sthalekar was one of the most influential figures in NSW Cricket history.

"Lisa is a serial winner, and it is that winning attitude, along with outstanding all-round skills, that have made her one of the most influential players in the history of NSW cricket. 

"Her high standards and will to win pervade our women’s programs to this day and have been a major reason for our success.

"It is not just young players who are attracted to the excitement and glamour of the Women’s Big Bash League. 

"Lisa came out of retirement to play for the Sydney Sixers over the last two seasons, when she wasn’t commenting on the matches for the Ten Network."

Sthalekar has yet to confirm whether she’ll play on in magenta in WBBL|03, but her expert commentary is sure to remain a feature of this year’s Australian summer of cricket, both with the BBL, WBBL and the Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes.

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Schedule

First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT