Sutherland back on home soil

Current NSW Breakers player Kara Sutherland (middle) with fellow Clarence Valley cricketers.

Gary Nichols

FORMER NSW women's cricketer Amanda Owens and current Breakers all-rounder Kara Sutherland put a group of young cricket hopefuls through their paces at Ellem Oval on the weekend.

Owens and Sutherland were in Grafton to help a squad of North Coast girls hone their skills as part of Cricket NSW Emerging Breakers program.

Owens – who coaches the North Coast girls team – said apart from teaching players various skills the two-day camp was also preparation for the upcoming NSW Country Championships.

“The camps are a regional-based program for girls in the North Coast area,” Owens said.

“This is our second camp and we have one more which will be held in Port Macquarie.

“We will also be having a few games prior to the Country Championships which are being held in Newcastle for both under-15 and 19 girls.”

Sutherland – who played all her junior cricket in Grafton – continues to impress and was rewarded with her efforts playing for Campbelltown last season with a place in the NSW Breakers 2010-11 squad alongside current Australian players Lisa Sthalekar and Ellyse Perry.

The left-arm seamer said she was happy to be back in her hometown and was glad to help girls who one day may follow in her footsteps.

“It's nice to be home and not have to worry about stopping at traffic lights all the time, only for the occasional kangaroo,” Sullivan said.

“I thought I would come back and help out people that helped me ... give something back.”

Prior to arriving in Grafton, Sullivan was given the opportunity to train with the Australian women's team in Brisbane.

“It was a bit of a shock to be invited to the Australian camp in Brisbane. I think a few players had injuries,” she said.