Hannah Darlington’s first job as NSW’s youngest cricket captain will be to keep Australia’s biggest home game streak alive at WNCL.
Darlington on Friday hit a crazy week by being named the youngest captain – male or female – in NSW’s 165-year history, a few days after being selected in her first Australian squad for the tour of New Zealand.
‘I Thought I Wouldn’t Get The Chance’
The bowling allrounder will once again lead the Breakers against South Australia on Sunday, with Alyssa Healy still on leave following the death of her father-in-law Mitchell Starc.
Darlington was appointed vice-captain earlier this month, with the aim of taking over when Healy visited New Zealand with the Australian team.
“Obviously circumstances have changed since and I thought I wouldn’t get the chance this year to captain,” Darlington said.
“(Being captain) is something I’m not uncomfortable with in terms of tactical decisions and helping out the bowlers.
“I’ve done it many times before (in juniors), that’s the only difference … these girls really know their cricket so I don’t have to do much support-wise.”
Youngest Captain
By taking the position of captain for 19 years and 31 days, Darlington surpassed Julie Stockton’s previous 19-year mark and 252 days back in 1978. Ian Craig is the youngest men’s captain. He was 21 when he took the lead in 1956.
Darlington’s first step was to back herself at the death, bowling the final over in Friday’s tie with Tasmania.
She did so with Healy’s advice ringing in her ears, and with NSW management backing her to take the reins ahead of the likes of established international Rachael Haynes.
“(Healy) sent a couple of nice messages, which was lovely (given her circumstances),” Darlington said.
“She wanted me to lead the way in terms of how a NSW team plays.
“But it was also just making sure I backed my skills at the end of the day and played the same game of cricket I always will.”
NSW’s Performance
Friday’s game also marked the first time the home cricket team had three Indigenous players, with Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner and frontrunner Anika Learoyd ranked in the Breakers.
NSW are still winless after three matches, putting their Australian sporting record of 24 straight grand finals at serious risk.
Coach Dominic Thornely has told the youngsters to create their own legacy, with NSW likely needing victories in their final five games.
“The players around my age group all knew the Breakers as the team that won 10 years in a row and had that team that was really successful,” Darlington said.
“So we’re just trying to create that same environment.”
