Cricket has long been defined by players who leave an indelible mark on the game, and Christina Matthews is one such legend. From her early days playing cricket in the streets of Melbourne to becoming Australia’s most-capped female Test cricketer, Matthews’ journey has been one of perseverance, dedication, and historic achievements. A wicketkeeper of immense skill and a pioneering figure in administration, she has now received one of the sport’s highest honors—induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
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Born on Boxing Day in 1959 in Melbourne, a city synonymous with sport, Matthews was immersed in cricket from a young age. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) held a special place in her heart, and she fondly recalls attending Sheffield Shield matches and later, witnessing iconic moments of Australian cricket. One such moment, however, slipped past her.
“Well, we’d decided to leave because nothing was happening,” she remembers. “And as we’re walking around the outside, we hear all the roars go up – we missed one of the most momentous moments. But if you love cricket in Melbourne, the MCG is such a big part of your life.”
Years later, Matthews would experience the ultimate high at the very same venue, winning a World Cup final for Australia.
Like many aspiring cricketers, Matthews’ journey was filled with challenges. She started playing alongside boys on the streets of Nunawading and, despite an inauspicious start—collecting six ducks in her first season—her love for the game never wavered. Cricket was more than just a sport for her; it was a community, a passion, and ultimately, a career path.
“It was then that I realised that there is a pathway to playing for Australia as a woman. And at that point, I thought that’s what I want to do. It wasn’t connected so much to me from a talent point of view, as it was just the fact it was a possibility.”
Wicketkeeping became her calling, partly because, as she humorously admits, she wasn’t particularly good at anything else. With support from her father, who was a goalkeeper, she honed her skills through backyard drills, determined to make a name for herself.
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“I was crap at everything else,” she laughs. “And what I enjoyed was, I was the centre of the game … it was my job to encourage everybody, and that suited my personality.”
Matthews’ persistence paid off when she made her first-class debut at the National Championships in Sydney in 1983. Though her performance wasn’t spectacular, fate had other plans. An Australian squad was being assembled for a tour of India, and due to hesitations from some players, an opportunity opened up.
“And the lucky bit was, one of the selectors (Raelee Thompson) was vice-captain of the Victorian team, so I was standing in slips with her for the whole tournament.”
Three weeks after her first-class debut, Matthews was on a plane to Delhi. In a whirlwind start, she played her first ODI and, shortly after, earned her Baggy Green.
“That India tour became a tour of really young, up-and-coming players,” she recalls. “And so, a lot of us got an opportunity that we may not have got until much later.”
Seizing her chance, Matthews ensured selectors never had a reason to drop her.
“A bit like gender equity, my theory is, I don’t care how I get in the game, but I’ve got to do well to stay in the game,” she says. “And that’s how I approached it.”
Across the next 11 years, Matthews remained a constant presence behind the stumps, playing all 20 Test matches Australia participated in—a record that still stands. She played a pivotal role in reclaiming the Ashes in 1984-85, then helped Australia secure their first Ashes series win in England in 1987. She also contributed to Australia’s triumphant 1988 World Cup campaign at the MCG, a moment she cherishes deeply.
“Winning that World Cup, and playing on the MCG,” she says, “was massive for me.”
Her crowning individual achievement came in 1991 when she set a world record with nine dismissals in a Test against India— a record that remains unbroken.
“I remember that day I broke the (dismissals) record – I didn’t even know there was a record to be broken,” she laughs. “We actually had a drinks break, and a camera came on the ground, and the manager said, ‘Oh, you’ve got to do an interview’, which was unheard of in those days – cameras didn’t come on the ground. But for me it meant I’d achieved something that would have some history in the game.”
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Even before her retirement in 1995, Matthews had begun shaping the future of Australian cricket off the field. She worked in various administrative roles, from Women’s Cricket Australia to Cricket New South Wales, before taking on leadership roles that would define her legacy.
Her most influential position came in 2012 when she became the Chief Executive Officer of Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA). Under her leadership, Western Australia and the Perth Scorchers won an astonishing 14 domestic titles. She also played a crucial role in advancing women’s cricket, from securing sponsorships to advocating for gender equity in the game.
Recognizing her contributions, she was elected the first female president of the Australian Cricketers’ Association in December 2024 and on a historic day at the MCG, just minutes before the Women’s Ashes Test, Matthews was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.
“Thank you to all my teammates who have been part of making this happen, those coaches who helped me enormously,” she said. “And I also want to acknowledge my partner and family who are here today to celebrate this with me and also my mum and dad are no longer with us, but you can’t achieve any of these things without the start they give you.”
For Matthews, there was no better place to receive this honor than the ground where she once lifted a World Cup trophy.
“I had a choice where it could be presented and I didn’t hesitate to choose this, such a historic occasion. And being from Melbourne myself, the MCG looms large as kind of the iconic ground in the world. So, to be part of this and to be recognized in such a great environment is just incredible. I did play World Cup final here, which we won in 1988, and I think I spent the whole day just looking around.”
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley paid tribute to Matthews’ remarkable contributions. “I’m absolutely delighted Christina’s outstanding contribution to cricket over more than 50 years has been acknowledged with her induction into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame,” he said.
“Christina was an excellent Australian wicketkeeper and vice-captain and her records for most Test appearances for Australia as well as the most Test dismissals for any nation still stand today.”
Beyond her playing career, Matthews’ impact on Australian cricket has been profound. After her playing days, Christina became an absolute powerhouse of Australian Cricket with her passion for our game inspiring many transformative changes – particularly for the inclusion of women and girls.
As Matthews reflects on her journey, she remains humbled by the honor bestowed upon her. “I never thought that my career would have been good enough to get inducted,” she admits. “But luckily, other people think it does, and I’m really proud. I put my heart and soul into it – everything I did during that time was to allow me to play for Australia. So yes, it’s such an honour.”
During her illustrious 11-year international career, Christina Matthews played 20 Test matches, accumulating 180 runs with a highest score of 34*. Behind the stumps, she was a formidable presence, executing 12 stumpings and claiming 46 catches. In the One Day format, she featured in 47 matches, where she batted in 20 innings, scoring 141 runs. As a wicketkeeper, she continued to showcase her sharp reflexes and impeccable glove work, effecting 14 stumpings and taking 35 catches.
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