Winner of the inaugural ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award, former Australian Captain Karen Rolton, a 2016 inductee of ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and 2018 inductee of Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, has now been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Rolton started playing for the national side in 1995 and played a crucial contribution to the team until her last match in 2009. She represented Australia in two Women’s Cricket World Cups. Firstly, in 2005 where she scored an unbeaten 107 in the finals taking the Player of the match as well as the Player of the tournament award along with the 5th title for the Aussies. In the 2009 World Cup, Rolton captained the side, though Australia finished fourth in the table.
The highest run-scorer for Australia Women in test, Rolton represented Australia in 141 ODIs, 15 T20Is, and 14 Test matches with over 5000 runs with the bat and 102 wickets with the ball across the three formats. She announced her retirement from international cricket in 2010 but continued to play domestic matches for South Australia until the end of 2010-11 Women’s Cricket League season.
Congratulations Karen on a well-deserved honour. #HallOfFame pic.twitter.com/bTIpAzd0jS
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) November 14, 2021
As reported by ANI news, Cricket Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Nick Hockley shared his joy on Rolton’s induction, saying, “I’m absolutely thrilled that Karen, a true legend of Australian Cricket, has been inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. A fierce competitor and outstanding leader, Karen was a representative of the green and gold who took the game to new heights. Her incredible record and subsequent honors are a true reflection of the lasting impact she had on the game and role she played in inspiring the next generation of cricketers.”
Rolton along with the other inductees would be honored during Australia’s Sporting Heroes and Legends – A Celebration of the 2021 Sport Australia Hall of Fame which will go on air on the Seven Network on Thursday, December 2.
Congratulations Karen Rolton!!
Loves all things female cricket