WHEN Lisa Griffith bowled her first over after a four-year break from regular competitive cricket, she thought it was going to be a very long season 2016-17.
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But the Bathurst talent soon rediscovered the form that saw her impress as teenager. It was form that saw her named the Cricket New South Wales NSW Country female player of the year.
Griffith skippered the inaugural NSW Country women’s team to third place at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in January. She averaged 71.67 for the tournament and snared four wickets.
She was presented the award at a presentation dinner at Cobram on Saturday.
“I think the first over I bowled back in the men’s comp I bowled about 10 or 12 wides, so it wasn’t a good start. But I got back coaching and the girls at Penrith asked if I’d like to come down for a game,” Griffith said.
“It’s just funny, I came back into the sport with the intention of coaching and having a bit of fun. But for me, with cricket, I always want to play it well. When I started playing every Saturday and Sunday, I wanted to enjoy it and play it well.
“I didn’t come back with the intention of ‘Where can I go with this?’, but I always want to play hard and it’s amazing the knowledge you retain.
“I think there are a fair few girls around country who are very good – Bec Cady is one – so I think I am very lucky to receive it and really humbled and proud.”
Griffith was one of four Western Zone talents to be recognised on the evening. Bathurst’s Graeme Glazebrook was named country umpire of the year, Matt Crawley coach of the year and Jordan Moran the male player of the year.
What made Griffith’s award even more special was that it was called the Alex Blackwell Medal. Blackwell, a Yenda native, has 142 Test caps and has represented NSW since 2001.
“I’m humbled actually to receive it given that it’s named after Alex Blackwell. I have been really lucky to play with Alex, so I think I’m also very lucky to receive an award named after her,” Griffith said.
“When I think of a team player, she is the epitome of that for me. Al’s such a great role model to male and female cricketers from all walks of life across the world. So I’m very humbled to be able to receive that.
“At the start of the season I never expected to be playing in the NSW Country side and certainly not receiving this award in Alex’s name.
“It was surprising to me, especially given the way I started off the season. I thought it was going to be a long haul of the season, but it’s amazing the knowledge that you retain about the game.
“I’ve had a lot of people say to me that I’ve come back at the right time and they’re exactly right. I never came back to the sport with the intention of playing representative cricket, I just started playing back in town.”
Griffith, who said that coaching helped her put things in perspective in her comeback season, played for Centennials Bulls in the Bathurst District Cricket Association first grade competition. Her best haul was 4-31 against St Pat’s Old Boys.
In the Sydney Women’s Cricket competition playing for Penrith, Griffith’s top score was 77 and best bowling figures 3-21.