Although born in Sydney, NSW, former Australia Test and ODI wicket keeper Julia Clare Price’s family moved north when she was two years old and she became a Queenslander. She made her debut for the state in 1993/4 under the captaincy of legendary Queensland wicket keeper, Katherine Raymont. Price in turn passed the baton on to another who would play for Australia in Jodie Fields.
On February 1st 1996 Julia Price made her ODI debut against New Zealand, taking over from Australia’s long time keeper, Chris Matthews. She took no catches or stumpings and made a first ball duck. A week later she made her Test debut. She didn’t even set foot on the field. The match was washed out. What a start!
In 1997 Julia plays in the first of her three World Cup tournaments. Victory in 1997, a loss to New Zealand in 2000 and victory again in 2005. Such was the power of the batting line-up in the Australian team during that time, Julia only played 37 innings in her 84 ODI appearances. The few chances she had were chasing runs at the end of an innings or trying to salvage a wreckage. With the gloves however, a century of dismissals, 70 catches and 30 stumpings.
In 1998 in England for a three Test series, Julia actually did get a bat. In her maiden Test innings she scored 80 not out, which would be here best score in Tests. Across the 10 Tests she played, Julia took 20 catches and two stumpings.
Post her playing career, Julia has carved out an outstanding resume as a coach, both in men’s and women’s cricket, as well as Australian Rules Football with the Brisbane Lions in the AWFL. As impressive as her playing career was, her greatest legacy will be the ongoing efforts with the clipboard, which she also brings to the commentary box.
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