BRENDAN LINES
SIDELINED by injury and dropped from the state team, Berri cricketer Abbie Cawse has fought her way back to head Sturt’s A1 women’s bowling attack in its recent T20 and 50-over grand final wins.
At just 16, Abbie has tackled setbacks that would normally derail players many years her senior.
Through sheer grit and determination, Abbie said she was going to make the most of her opportunity to rejoin Sturt’s bowling line-up alongside Australian women’s team bowler Megan Schutt.
“I had a few back issues with stress fractures,” she said.
“I missed three games in the minor round of the 50-over season.
“I was pretty eager to get back out there and they (Sturt) asked me to play in the semi-final because we missed our state players.
“I was still determined. I want to bowl well and make the most of it.”
Abbie played a pivotal part in both Sturt’s T20 and 50-over winning team this season as its go-to medium-pace bowler.
“My role is to bowl at the front and tie down an end for someone to attack at the other end,” Abbie said. “I’ll take a few wickets where I can.”
Sturt came from fourth in the T20 competition to play in the final against Northern Districts, which included state player Tegan McPharlin and Australian under 19 Darcie Brown, in December last year.
In the final, Abbie smashed through the Jets’ top order with figures of 2/26 in Sturt’s 35-run win.
It would be nearly two months until Abbie got the call up to head Sturt’s bowling attack for its 50 over semi-final against the Jets, her three wickets helped put Sturt into the grand final.
“I was pretty eager to get back out there and they (Sturt) asked me to play in the semi-final because we missed our state players,” Abbie said.
“I bowled my 10 overs and got three wickets so that put my name up for selection again for the grand final.
“One last game, why not give it all and have a rest over the off season? So, I was very lucky to play in that grand final.”
Having re-established herself in Sturt’s bowling attack, Abbie posted best figures for the match with 2/25 in the final, as Sturt crushed Southern Districts by eight wickets.
Abbie said playing alongside Schutt during the season helped her find her form again.
“She’s just a step above the rest I think, with her aggression and her encouragement in the field,” Abbie said.
“She’s great, very helpful and will talk to me about the team, what I can improve on, and different types of balls I could be bowling.”
The road back to good form has meant Abbie has had to change her bowling style to cope with her back issues.
Paired with moving away from home to boarding school, Abbie said Sturt has played a pivotal part in helping to support country players like herself.
“They’re (Sturt) looking out for us country girls,” she said.
“Bringing us down to Adelaide to play at a premier cricket club… builds the standard of girls’ cricket.
“They want as many country girls as they can to come and play for their club.”
After a mountainous season, Abbie’s focus now shifts to the simpler pleasures of being a school kid.
“I play netball as well during the winter for Westminster, so that’s good to have break from cricket and have a bit of fun with friends,” she said.
But is state selection still on the young bowler’s mind?
“That’s something I’m aiming to do, but it’s not everything for me, if that comes along that’d be great.” she said.
“But obviously I just want to put my best foot forward with Sturt and helping my team and whatever happens will happen.”