A Launceston cricketing trailblazer has called it quits on the game, but not before playing out one last time with the biggest fan of Katelyn Fryett's career close by her side.
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Jenny-Anne Fryett boldly walked out for just a second match ever - and first in about 44 years - during her daughter's farewell with University against Greater Northern Raiders.
The 57-year-old mum last played when she was dragged out of bed to help an under-16 boys' team short of numbers one morning.
It was quite apt considering Fryett, a one-time Tasmanian allrounder for a decade, could only start out first playing in a boys' competition - rather than girls - for Bracknell.
Fryett's cousin Natalie Curbishley heads up the TCL club's women's side nowadays and was asked to play as a tribute, but the Sunday last hurrah happened to coincide with Bracknell's Female Boom key T20 final.
"So I asked mum to fill in and she was very keen to fill in the week leading up," Fryett laughed, "but she kind of got a few pre-match day nerves after that, I think."
The spot opened up with University's teens away at the under-15 national championships while clubmate and ex-Longford Sasha Moloney was off coaching the Tasmanians.
Mum got off unscathed on nought not out without facing a ball, but was involved in a run out in a final match that had much more sentimental value than University points.
"It was nice that mum, my dad and my brother were there at the game in a nice send-off and good way to finish," Fryett said.
ELSEWHERE IN SPORT
Fryett top-scored with 22 off 12 deliveries in a 19-run loss while going wicketless before being given an impromptu guard of honour.
The 27-year-old's involvement in the game has been longer than most of her teammates, making the choice to retire prematurely amid State League netball more understandable.
Cricket Tasmania employed the pharmacist during her playing duration, but was she was keen to step "off the back foot for a bit".
"I probably knew that going into this season was going to be my last one," Fryett said.
"I guess I've had a few injuries along the way, and I was quite happy and content with the contribution that I've made to both Tassie cricket and my club cricket.
"I still have a few things I want to do while I am still young and I am getting married in a few weeks.
"Sean, my long-term partner, made a lot of sacrifices for me to pursue a cricket career and always supportive along with my family.
"But I'm excited to start the next chapter."
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Andrew Mathieson
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
The day I realised I wasn't good enough to play for St Kilda or be the No.1 spinner for Australia was when I realised journalism was the closest I could come to follow my passion for sport. And it's not just about the scores for me. It's the back story behind the game.
