In a significant development, Victorian wicketkeeper-batter Nicole Faltum has earned her first international call-up as Cricket Australia (CA) announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against New Zealand.
Scheduled to begin on March 21, shortly after the 2024 Women’s Premier League, the series will see Tahlia McGrath taking over as skipper, with Ashleigh Gardner named as vice-captain, as Alyssa Healy continues her recovery from a foot injury.
This call-up marks a milestone in Faltum’s cricketing career, a recognition of her consistent performances at the domestic level. Let’s take a closer look at the prolific batter’s journey and achievements that led to this well-deserved opportunity.
Nicole Faltum’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. Struggling to make an impact with her previous franchise, the Melbourne Stars, she made the bold decision to switch to the Melbourne Renegades ahead of Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season 10. This move proved transformative for the Victorian player.
Faltum played a pivotal role in the Melbourne Renegades’ title-winning campaign during WBBL 10, showcasing her ability to contribute under pressure and adapt to her new team environment. Her performances in the league laid the foundation for her growing reputation as a dependable wicketkeeper-batter.
Shawn Flegler, Cricket Australia’s Head of Performance (Women’s Cricket) and National Selector, highlighted Faltum’s consistent contributions and emphasized the importance of grooming a backup wicketkeeping option.
“It’s exciting to be able to bring Nicole into the squad, she’s been a consistent performer over a long period of time and will provide a strong back-up option to Beth who will take the gloves during the series,” Flegler said as quoted by cricket.com.au.
Faltum’s stellar performances in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) have been instrumental in earning her this international opportunity. In the ongoing 2024/25 season, she has amassed 438 runs across 12 innings at an average of 36.50, with a top score of 90, making her the eighth-highest run-scorer in the tournament.
Her consistency extends across previous seasons as well. In the 2023-24 WNCL season, she played all 12 matches, scoring 361 runs at an average of 32.81, including four half-centuries, with the highest score of 86. During the 2022-23 season, she accumulated 368 runs in 12 games at an average of 40.88, which included two half-centuries and an unbeaten century of 107. Her 2021-22 campaign saw her score 189 runs across seven matches, averaging 31.50, with one fifty and a top score of 88 not out.
Nicole Faltum’s rise is a testament to her hard work, adaptability, and consistent performances across formats. As she gears up for her maiden international series against world champions New Zealand, her journey serves as inspiration for aspiring cricketers. With her ability to deliver in key moments, Faltum will look to make a lasting impression on the global stage.
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