Born on August 13, 1979 in Pune, Maharashtra, Lisa Sthalekar is a former Australian Test, ODI and T20 International allrounder.
Primarily a bowler when she began her WNCL career with NSW in 1997/8 and struggled in the early years for both wickets and runs, but the breakthrough came in 2000/1 and national duties beckoned. Making her ODI debut in England, she picked up 2-32 in her first outing.
Although her ability with the ball was evident, it was with the bat where Sthalekar really improved her game and she made her Test debut in February 2003 at the Gabba against England where she opened the batting with Belinda Clark. Dropped down the order for the second Test Lisa came in to bat at 36/3 and then at 49/4 she was joined by NSW team mate, Alex Blackwell. The two young players carved out a vital partnership with Sthalekar scoring a magnificent century, 120 not out.
All up Lisa played eight Tests with the 120* her best with bat and 5-30 best bowling. In 125 ODIs, she scored 2728 at 30.65 with two centuries and 16 fifties. 126 wickets at 24.97 with a best of 5-35. She also played 54 T20 Internationals, with a best of 52 and 4-18. Retiring from International cricket in 2013, there was one last hurrah, two seasons with Sydney Sixers in the WBBL 2015-17.
Cricket bat well and truly locked away now, Lisa Sthalekar is a well respected voice in the commentary box.
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