Alex Blackwell

Alex Blackwell
Blackwell batting for Sydney Thunder, 2018
Personal information
Full name
Alexandra Joy Blackwell
Born (1983-08-31) 31 August 1983 (age 41)
Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
NicknameSeal
BattingRight-handed
BowlingRight-arm medium
RoleAllrounder
RelationsKate Blackwell (twin sister)
Lynsey Askew (wife)
International information
National side
Test debut (cap 142)15 February 2003 v England
Last Test9 November 2017 v England
ODI debut (cap 97)29 January 2003 v England
Last ODI29 October 2017 v England
ODI shirt no.2
T20I debut (cap 1)2 September 2005 v England
Last T20I22 February 2017 v New Zealand
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2001/02–2017/18New South Wales
2006/07Otago
2008Berkshire
2015Berkshire
2015/16–2019/20Sydney Thunder
2016Yorkshire Diamonds
Career statistics
Competition WTest WODI WT20I WBBL
Matches 12 144 95 72
Runs scored 444 3,492 1,314 1,752
Batting average 22.20 36.00 21.19 34.35
100s/50s 0/4 3/25 0/1 0/6
Top score 74 114 61 81*
Balls bowled 72 132 6
Wickets 0 6 0
Bowling average 10.50
5 wickets in innings 0
10 wickets in match 0
Best bowling 2/8
Catches/stumpings 6/– 55/– 33/– 21/2
Source: ESPNcricinfo, 27 April 2021

Alexandra Joy Blackwell (born 31 August 1983) is a former professional cricketer and Australian women's cricket captain who played for New South Wales and Australia as a specialist batter. After making her international debut in 2002-2003, she went on to play more matches for Australia than any other female cricketer in history.[1] A highlight of Blackwell's career was captaining the 2010 Women's team to World Twenty20 victory.

In October 2017, she made her 250th international appearance for the Australian women's cricket team. In November 2019, she announced her retirement from cricket, after a career that spanned 18 years.[2] Her identical twin sister Kate has also played for Australia.

After retiring from cricket, Blackwell returned to her previous career as a genetic counsellor.[3] Her memoir, Fair Game, was published in 2022.[4]

In 2013, Blackwell became the first female international cricketer to publicly come out as gay.[5] She has been a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and represented Cricket Australia in the 2015 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.[6] She has also been a vocal supporter of the inclusion of transgender cricketers at all levels.[7]

  1. ^ "Alex Blackwell". Celebrity Speakers. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Alex Blackwell announces retirement to bring end to 18-year career". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 28 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Alex Blackwell". Minerva Network. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Fair Game by Alex Blackwell". Hachette Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  5. ^ Kemp, Emma (19 December 2020). "Alex Blackwell: 'I have felt profiled as a predator because I'm a lesbian'". The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Southern Star Blazing the Trail for Diversity in Sport". Cricket Australia. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Cricket Australia reveals guidelines for inclusion of transgender players in community and elite cricket". ABC News. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2023.