Spotlight on women’s cricket: Chamberlain sits down with the star bowlers from the WBBL Sydney Thunder to learn more about their careers, going pro, and their top safety tips for those backyard cricket shenanigans

Dedicated to supporting the growth of cricket across Australia, Chamberlain was a proud sponsor of the Sydney Thunder’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) team in 2021 for a second year running.

Chamberlain is incredibly impressed with the Thunder’s ’21 season where the team overcame a challenging year to put on a real show!

After a season full of highlights, we sat down with spin bowler Sam Bates and fast bowler Sammy-Jo to discuss their personal cricket journeys, the feat of becoming a professional cricket player, as well as their top safety tips for those backyard cricket shenanigans.

What is your earliest cricket memory?

Sam: Playing backyard cricket in Forster with my whole family on Christmas Day. I even remember mowing the pitch to play on!

 

Sammy-Jo: I remember sitting in front of the TV every summer and watching the Aussie men play. Although I didn’t know much about the game, I absolutely loved it. I never would have imagined playing on the same pitch as them one day!

Did you grow up playing backyard cricket?

 

Sam: Absolutely. My brother and I would take turns on choosing which sport to play after school. His would always be NRL, but my number one pick was cricket.

Sammy-Jo: Of course! I was probably around three or four years old with a plastic cricket set, playing in our backyard or at Nan and Pop’s place.