ACA congratulates Jodie Fields on an outstanding career

12 June, 2014
The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) today paid tribute to former Australian captain Jodie Fields, who has announced her retirement from international cricket.

The 29 year-old veteran played more than 100 games for the Southern Stars, including the ICC T20 World Cup in 2012 and the ICC World Cup (ODI) in 2013, both of which she captained.

Among Field's many successes, the world titles were a triumph over severe injuries which had threatened to end her career.

Fields tore her hamstring off the bone while batting for Queensland Fire in 2010, and after 18 months of rehabilitation -- including three operations -- the right-hander achieved her dream of returning to the Australian team as batter, 'keeper and captain.

Born in Toowoomba, Fields grew up playing boys and men's cricket before progressing through club and state ranks to make her international debut in a Test match against India in 2006. She took over the captaincy from champion batter Karen Rolton three years later, becoming the first Queensland woman to assume the role. In her first Test match as skipper in July 2009, Field's fighting qualities were underlined with a superb maiden Test century (139) which rescued the Stars from a precarious 5/28 against England.

The combination of injuries and a general lack of women's Test match cricket restricted Fields' opportunities in the longer form to just four Tests, although her runs tally of 331 at 66.20 showed her appetite for the big stage.

ACA President Greg Dyer congratulated Fields on her international career.

"Jodie Fields has been a wonderful player for the Southern Stars throughout a stellar period for Australian women's cricket. She has led the way with the bat, gloves, leadership and passion. Jodie's ability to reach - and return -- to the top shows an extraordinary level of skill, dedication and determination. She's been an outstanding performer who played a key role in Australia's success," he said.

ACA Chief Executive Paul Marsh said:

"Jodie has led the Southern Stars through a particularly successful era, on and off the field, and she can take a lot of credit for the growth and success of women's cricket in recent years. Her input into the ACA Women's Executive Committee has been substantial and she has left a terrific legacy for her fellow players and those who will become Southern Stars in the future.

"We congratulate Jodie on all she's achieved in cricket and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life."

© Australian Cricket Players Limited
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
The Australian Cricketers’ Association acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders both past and present.