Rare cricket honour for Blackwell

SYDNEY: Alex Blackwell, the former Australia captain, has been elected to the Cricket New South Wales board, becoming the first woman to be elected in the 159-year history of the board. Blackwell, who made her international debut way back in 2003, played 12 Tests, 144 ODIs and 95 T20Is for her country. She was a prolific run-getter, especially in the ODI format, compiling 3492 runs at an average of 36. The veteran also captained Australia to victories in the Ashes and the World T20. She retired from the game in February this year. Two other women - Patricia Forsythe (current director) and Rina Hore (former director) - have been part of the NSW board, but Blackwell is the first one to be elected.