Sharon Tredrea is a former Test (10th) and ODI captain of Australia who skippered the side to World Cup glory in 1981/2. She is also one of the fastest bowlers of all time.
Born in Melbourne, former Australian Test and ODI captain, Sharon Tredrea was the fastest bowler of her generation. Maybe of all time. After terrorising the boys in her local street Sharon worked her way through club cricket and into the Victorian state team, ultimately earning selection for Australia at just 18 years of age.
“I was stunned. I think a lot of people in that room must have said ‘Sharon WHO?’ Teammates were jumping up and down – I just sat there, saying little.”
The young quick went on a brief tour to the Caribbean then to the first World Cup. Despite Australia falling at the final hurdle, Tredrea was one named among the 12 players in a combined team of the tournament.
Next stop, Test cricket and the formation of one of the most potent new ball pairs when she teamed up with Raelee Thompson.
“My favourite and preferred form of the game is Test cricket. So being chosen for a Test tour meant the world to me, as if I had made it as a player in my eyes (no one else’s).”
In 1976 a Test tour of the West Indies then the delight of having sister Jan play alongside her in the national team. Both played in the first ever match at Lords on August 4th where Sharon became the first woman to score a half century at the ground.
By 1978, the vice captaincy and a winning World Cup under Marg Jennings. “Both Raelee and I hated giving runs to any batter. Every bowler in this team had one of the best fielding teams I played with, backing them up. Marg’s captaincy and experience also played a major role.”
By 1978/9 Tredrea is now skipper and leads the team to victory over New Zealand. In 1982 another World Cup victory, but this time as captain. Missing the 1984 tour to India, Sharon readied herself for the 50th anniversary Ashes series, but broke down with injury in the first Test at the WACA.
“The disappointment when it ‘gave way’ during the game is indescribable. Had dreamt of playing a full Test series against England in Australia – then puff, gone.”
There would be no more Test cricket, but a return to national colours in 1988 for another World Cup victory under new skipper Lyn Larsen, giving Sharon three World Cups under her belt in a career than ran for 15 years.
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