Belinda Vakarewa
2018–19 WBBL PS v ST 18-12-30 Vakarewa (01).jpg
Vakarewa bowling for Sydney Thunder
Personal information
Full name
Belinda Waimakare Vakarewa
Born (1998-01-22) 22 January 1998 (age 26)
Griffith, New South Wales, Australia[1]
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm fast medium
RoleBowler
International information
National side
Only ODI (cap 135)29 June 2017 v Sri Lanka
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2015/16–2018/19Sydney Thunder
2016/17–2018/19New South Wales
2019/20–2021/22Hobart Hurricanes
2019/20–2021/22Tasmania
2022/23Sydney Thunder
Career statistics
Competition WODI
Matches 1
Runs scored –
Batting average –
100s/50s -/-
Top score –
Balls bowled 24
Wickets 0
Bowling average –
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling –
Catches/stumpings 1/–
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 21 August 2020

Belinda Waimakare Vakarewa[2] (born 22 January 1998) is an Australian cricketer from Griffith, New South Wales. She plays as a fast bowler. Vakarewa has made one international appearance for the national women's team.

Early life

Vakarewa attended Eagle Vale High School.[3][4] She played local cricket for several clubs in western Sydney, including Campbelltown-Camden in grade cricket as well as Campbelltown City and Magpies Cricket Club at junior level.[5][6] Her introduction to the sport occurred at the age of ten after participating in a "come and try" day with her brother while in primary school.[7] Vakarewa is from "a very traditional Fijian family"[8] and played her father's choice of sport, rugby, throughout her childhood.[9][10]

Domestic career

Vakarewa joined the Sydney Thunder ahead of its inaugural season and went on to play in the WBBL|01 championship final, which the team won by three wickets.[11] She was also added to New South Wales' squad during the 2015–16 WNCL season.[12]

In May 2019, Vakarewa signed with the Tasmanian Tigers and Hobart Hurricanes.[13][14][15] She enjoyed a breakout WBBL|05 campaign, taking 20 wickets (ranked third in the league) at an average of 15.80.[16] Her outstanding season was recognised with selection in the Team of the Tournament as well as earning the Hurricanes' Most Valuable Player award.[17][18]

Vakarewa re-signed with the Hurricanes in July 2020, turning down offers from several other teams.[19]

International career

In May 2017, Vakarewa was named in the 15-player Australian squad for the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup[20] and made her Women's One Day International (WODI) debut during the tournament against Sri Lanka on 29 June.[21][22] She toured India with the Australian team in March 2018 but spent the series stricken by food poisoning and did not play a match.[7]

In April 2019, Cricket Australia awarded Vakarewa with a contract for the National Performance Squad ahead of the 2019–20 season.[23][24] She toured the United Kingdom in June and July 2019 as a member of the Australia A squad that played a series of limited overs and red ball matches against the England and England Academy teams.[25][26]

Vakarewa was included in the Australia A squad that hosted a series of three ODIs and three T20Is against India A in December 2019.[27] Despite a strong display of recent form, she missed out on selection for Australia's 2020 ICC T20 World Cup squad. National team selector Shawn Flegler claimed the decision "illustrates the depth of Australian cricket" and that she was one of several players who "could come into the side at any stage and play a role".[28] Vakarewa was then selected to play for the Governor General's XI in an exhibition match against India at Drummoyne Oval on 28 January 2020.[29]

References

  1. ^ "Belinda Vakarewa". CricketArchive. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Belinda Vakarewa". Wisden. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Top schoolgirl cricketers take centre stage in Wollongong". Cricket NSW. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  4. ^ "Former Gunnedah cricketer to tour of Sri Lanka". Namoi Valley Independent. 7 May 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Vakarewa returns for Premier Cricket Grand Final". Cricket NSW. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  6. ^ Layt, Jess (16 November 2017). "Campbelltown cricketer re-signs with Sydney Thunder". Campbelltown-Macarthur Advertiser. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  7. ^ a b "Apple Isle just what the doctor ordered for Vakarewa". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  8. ^ "Young cricketer eyes off the Women's Ashes after defying family's rugby union tradition". SBS News. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  9. ^ Martin Walsh (13 March 2015). "Eagle Vale High School triumph in Canadian rugby friendly". Campbelltown-Macarthur Advertiser. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  10. ^ "Belinda Vakarewa named Hobart Hurricanes' WBBL Player of the Tournament". Women's CricZone. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Sydney Thunder Women beat Sydney Sixers Women - Thunder Wmn won by 3 wickets (with 3 balls remaining) - Sydney Sixers Women vs Sydney Thunder Women Women's Big Bash League 2015 Final Match Summary, Report | ESPNcricinfo.com". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  12. ^ "Vakarewa added to WNCL squad for Canberra trip". Cricket NSW. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  13. ^ "Australia A quick signs". Hobart Hurricanes. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  14. ^ "Five new faces in Tigers Women's squad". crickettas.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  15. ^ "Carey jumps ship to 'Canes, Tigers". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  16. ^ "Women's Big Bash League, 2019/20 Cricket Team Records & Stats | ESPNcricinfo.com". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  17. ^ "Revealed: WBBL team of the tournament". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  18. ^ "Hobart Hurricanes Announce WBBL|05 Player of the Tournament". Hobart Hurricanes. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  19. ^ "New home for Priest as Hobart lock in stars". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  20. ^ AAP (18 May 2017). "Vakarewa, Aley named for women's World Cup". SBS World News. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
  21. ^ "ICC Women's World Cup, 8th Match: Australia Women v Sri Lanka Women at Bristol, Jun 29, 2017". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  22. ^ "Vakarewa debuts as Australia bowl first". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Georgia Wareham handed first full Cricket Australia contract". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  24. ^ "Georgia Wareham included in Australia's 2019-20 contracts list". International Cricket Council. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  25. ^ "Australia name squad for Ashes defence". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  26. ^ "New Tigers receive Australian call-up". crickettas.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  27. ^ "World Cup spots up for grabs in Australia A series". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  28. ^ Wu, Andrew (15 January 2020). "Sutherland, Molineux in Australian squad as stars align for T20 World Cup". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  29. ^ "Strano to lead Governor-General's XI against India". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 30 July 2020.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Belinda Vakarewa.
Australia squad – 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup semi-finalists
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