Alex Blackwell Biography

Alexandra Joy Blackwell is a former Australian Cricket player who played for Australia and South Wales as a specialist batter. In 2001-2002, She made her debut for South Wales in the Women’s National Cricket League. Blackwell played in the middle order and scored 33 runs in her debut season, and South Wales won the season. The following season, she batted in the higher order, scored 212, and was selected for the International team. Alex made her International debut in 2002-03 in an ODI tournament. She made her test debut against England.

During the early months of 2010, Alex Blackwell became the captain of the Australian cricket team for the Rose Bowl series due to the unfortunate injury that sidelined regular captain Jodie Fields. Under her leadership, Australia demonstrated its dominance by securing victories in all eight One Day Internationals (ODIs). However, they faced some setbacks in the five T20 internationals, resulting in losses across the board. Blackwell showcased her batting prowess throughout the series, accumulating a total of 235 runs at an impressive average of 33.57. Her consistent performances included two well-deserved half-centuries, highlighting her ability to excel under pressure and contribute significantly to the team’s success.

Beyond her on-field achievements, Blackwell was admired for her leadership qualities and selfless approach to the sport.  Blackwell announced her retirement in February 2018 but continued playing in the Women’s Big Bash League.

Early Life:

Alexandra Joy Blackwell was Born on August 31, 1983, in Wagga Wagga New South Wales,  Australia. She was raised in a small rural town Yenda, South Wales. She and her identical twin sister attended Barker College. During early years she had a deep passion for cricket. From a young age, she exhibited immense talent and an unwavering commitment to the sport. Blackwell’s parents recognized her potential and provided unwavering support, nurturing her talent and encouraging her to pursue her dreams.

In March 2000, Alex Blackwell received an opportunity to showcase her talents as she was selected to represent the New South Wales team in the under-17 interstate competition. Her performance in the tournament demonstrated her all-around skills and contributed significantly to her team’s success. By the end of the tournament, Blackwell had a total of 149 runs at an impressive average of 37.25. Her consistent performances with the bat and her ability to make crucial contributions were key factors in her team’s success. Additionally, she also showed her amazing bowling skills by taking seven wickets at an average of 17.00.

Personal Life:

In 2013, Blackwell made a significant announcement by publicly coming out as a lesbian. She became the second international player to come out during their playing career, following in the footsteps of England’s Steven Davies. Blackwell’s openness about her sexual orientation helped pave the way for more acceptance and representation in cricket. Her partner and wife is fellow cricketer Lynsey Askew.

Family:

Alex has a twin sister Kate Blackwell. She is an accomplished cricketer who has made a name for herself in the sport. She shares the same profession as her twin sister, Alex Blackwell, which adds a fascinating dimension to their story.

A practice match was arranged between Alex and Kate, pitting the twin sisters against each other in a battle of skill and sibling rivalry. The anticipation among fans and fellow cricketers was palpable, as everyone eagerly awaited the clash of these two talented athletes with the same name. The match between Alex and Kate Blackwell showcased not only their individual talents but also the strength of their twin bond. Their story serves as a reminder of the power of determination, sibling support, and the pursuit of excellence.

Lynsey Askew: Alex’s Partner:

Lynsey Askew, also known as Lynsey Riann Frances Askew, is a former professional cricket player who made significant contributions to the sport. With her right-handed batting and right-arm medium bowling, she left a mark on the cricketing world during her career.

Aside from her cricketing achievements, Lynsey Askew is also known for her personal connection to Alex Blackwell, an accomplished cricketer herself. Their shared love for the sport has undoubtedly strengthened their bond and contributed to their mutual growth as athletes.

Career:

Alex exhibited a deep passion for cricket from a young age. Her love for the sport grew stronger as she honed her skills and developed a burning desire to pursue a cricket career. She started her domestic debut in 2001.

Domestic Debut:

During the 2001–02 season, Alex Blackwell made her domestic debut for New South Wales. In her first match against Queensland, she bowled two overs that proved expensive, conceding 18 runs. Blackwell did not have an opportunity to bat as New South Wales emerged victorious with a six-wicket win. Playing in the middle order, often below the top six, Blackwell’s batting role was limited in her first four matches. She remained unbeaten with nine runs in the second match against Queensland and was at the crease when the team secured their victory. Throughout the season, Blackwell demonstrated her all-around ability as New South Wales succeeded in all six matches of the national Under-19 competition. With the bat, she scored 207 runs at an average of 41.40, reaching at least 30 in five out of six innings. She also excelled with the ball, taking 11 wickets at an impressive average of 9.36. In five of those six matches, Blackwell contributed significantly with both bat and ball.

New South Wales emerged victorious against Victoria in both round-robin matches and once again in the finals series, securing a 2-0 win and claiming their sixth consecutive national title. In the second final, Blackwell remained unbeaten on 12 as her team achieved the target with four wickets in hand. In the eight matches she played, Blackwell had the opportunity to bat only four times, scoring 33 runs at an average of 33.00. She also bowled seven overs without success.

Following the season, Blackwell was selected for the Australia Youth team in a series against New Zealand A. In the four matches, she accumulated 76 runs at an average of 19.00, with a highest score of 32. She also claimed one wicket for 43 runs from 11 overs. Subsequently, she played against the senior New Zealand team, taking one wicket for 18 runs and scoring 2 runs in a 21-run defeat.

In the 2002–03 season, Blackwell participated in her first complete Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season, representing New South Wales in all ten matches. Although initially not trusted to bat at a higher position in the first match, which New South Wales won, she remained unbeaten on 17 in the second match against South Australia. However, she was attacked by opposition batters, conceding 23 runs from two overs. In the next game, Blackwell achieved her maiden half-century at the senior level, scoring an unbeaten 74 and guiding her team to a five-wicket victory against Victoria. Despite a few single-digit scores, she regained form in the last two round-robin matches against Western Australia, making 36 and 38 runs, respectively. New South Wales won six out of their eight games and faced Victoria in the final. During the second final, she claimed her first wicket at the senior level, but her bowling performance throughout the season was otherwise unsuccessful, conceding 45 runs in eight overs. Blackwell finished the season with 212 runs at an average of 30.28.

International Debut:

Following her impressive performances in domestic cricket, Blackwell gained her place in the national team for a quadrangular ODI tournament held in Lincoln, New Zealand. Competing against England, India, and the hosts, Blackwell made her international debut in Australia’s second match against England.

Australia hosted England for a thrilling two-Test series, which marked the debut of Alex Blackwell at the prestigious Gabba in Brisbane. The opening Test proved to be a low-scoring affair, with Blackwell showcasing her bowling prowess by delivering 11 overs, including six maiden overs. 

In Australia’s reply, Blackwell faced a challenging situation when she came to bat at 4/40 in her maiden Test innings. Displaying her determination, she contributed four runs off 14 balls before being dismissed by Laura Newton. Unfortunately, her dismissal triggered a batting collapse for Australia, as they lost six wickets for a mere 28 runs and were eventually bowled out for 78.

England’s second innings saw them being all out for just 92 runs. In the final innings, Blackwell was at the crease when Australia scored 4/104, with 35 runs still required for victory. She formed a crucial partnership with Michelle Goszko, and despite batting slowly, they managed to add seven runs in nine overs before Goszko was dismissed. Blackwell was joined by Julie Hayes, who scored 18 runs off the remaining 28 required for victory. Blackwell remained unbeaten on nine runs as Australia secured a thrilling win with five wickets in hand. Her composed innings lasted for 85 balls in 85 minutes.

2005 World Cup:

Blackwell returned to Australia to secure her spot in the 2005 World Cup in South Africa. She needed a strong finish to the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season. Blackwell showcased her batting prowess in the remaining round-robin matches, accumulating 96 runs across four innings. Notably, she played a crucial role in a five-wicket victory over Queensland, where she scored half her runs. With 214 runs at an average of 26.75, Blackwell’s performance earned her a place in the national team, despite a less successful tour of India.

Before the World Cup, Australia hosted New Zealand for three Rose Bowl ODIs. Although Blackwell couldn’t make significant contributions with the bat, she presented her all-round abilities by taking a wicket and making crucial runs. She didn’t have the opportunity to bat in the first World Cup match against England due to rain interruptions. However, she made her mark in the encounter against New Zealand, scoring a valuable 53 runs, which played a key role in Australia’s 32-run victory. Blackwell’s determination and consistent performances helped her secure her place in the team as they progressed through the tournament.

The World Cup journey proved to be a memorable one for Blackwell and the Australian team. She made significant contributions throughout the tournament, starting with a vital knock of 10 not out in the semi-final against England, leading Australia to a five-wicket victory. In the final against India, Blackwell’s unbeaten four runs helped Australia set an imposing total of 215 runs. She then showed her bowling skills, taking 1/8 from two overs. Australia ultimately emerged victorious, winning the World Cup by a wide margin of 98 runs. Blackwell finished the tournament with 67 runs at an average of 33.50.

In the northern hemisphere summer of 2005, Australia embarked on a tour of England. Blackwell’s performances during the tour were mixed, with some notable highlights. She played a supporting role in the only ODI against Ireland as Australia achieved a resounding victory. The Test series against England proved a tough challenge for Blackwell, as she struggled to score runs and had a modest average. Despite the challenges, she continued demonstrating her commitment to the game and contributed to the team’s efforts. After an underwhelming international season, Blackwell returned to the WNCL with a strong start in the 2005-06 season. She played remarkable innings, including her maiden century, which propelled her team to victory.

2009 World Cup:

Alex had a brief stint at the crease in the first match of the World Cup campaign, scoring only four runs as Australia fell short of their target on the Duckworth-Lewis method. However, she quickly made performance in the next group matches. Blackwell’s all-around skills were displayed as she contributed with both bat and fielding. She made 22 runs and took three catches in a convincing victory over South Africa. She played a crucial role in the next match against the West Indies, scoring an unbeaten 46 runs in a 47-run win.

Inaugural Women’s World Twenty20:

Following the World Cup, Blackwell was selected for the inaugural Women’s World Twenty20 in England in 2009. Before the tournament, Australia hosted New Zealand in a three-match series in Darwin. Blackwell played in all the matches and made valuable contributions, including an unbeaten 11 and 10 runs in her two innings. Australia emerged victorious in the series, winning 2-1.

During the World Twenty20, Blackwell played a significant role in Australia’s journey. She scored 40 not out in a match against South Africa, which resulted in a 24-run victory for Australia. However, the team couldn’t progress beyond the semi-finals, as England defeated them. Blackwell ended the tournament with 64 runs at an average of 32.00.

2010 T20 World Cup Victory:

Australia’s group stage included matches against defending champions England, South Africa, and the West Indies. In the match against England, Blackwell depicted her fielding skills by running out Holly Colvin. When she came to the crease, Australia was struggling at 2/10. Blackwell contributed seven runs from 14 balls and formed a partnership of 34 runs with Leah Poulton. However, their dismissals triggered a collapse, but Australia managed to recover and tie the scores with England. In the subsequent Super Over, Australia emerged victorious after hitting more sixes.

Australia faced India in the semi-final, and Blackwell made a significant impact. She ran out the opposing captain, Jhulan Goswami, and also contributed with the bat. Blackwell promoted herself to No. 3 after an early wicket fell, and Alex played a crucial role in a partnership with Nitschke. She reached her fifty in 37 balls and was eventually out for 61 from 49 balls. Australia comfortably reached the target with seven wickets to spare, and Blackwell was named the player of the match.

Blackwell elected to bat in the final against New Zealand, but she was dismissed for a duck early in the innings. Australia set a target of 107 runs, and Blackwell’s bowling skills came into play. She ran out Aimee Watkins, the New Zealand captain, and later took a catch to dismiss Rachel Priest. Australia won the match by three runs, securing the championship title.

Retirement:

In February 2018, Alex Blackwell retired from international and state cricket. After a remarkable career that spanned 15 years, she had played 251 matches across all three game formats. In reflecting on her career, Blackwell humbly expressed that she sees herself as a “good international cricketer” but not a “great” one. Despite her numerous achievements and contributions to the sport, Blackwell’s modesty shines through as she evaluates her impact on the game. Her retirement marked the end of an era in women’s cricket, leaving behind a legacy that will be remembered and cherished by fans and fellow players alike.

Networth Of Alex Blackwell:

Alex Blackwell is a former Australian Cricket Player with a net worth of $17 billion.

FAQS:

1) Who is Alex Blackwell?

Alex Blackwell is a former Australian cricket player who represented her country internationally.

2)What was her role in Australian cricket?

Alex Blackwell played as a middle-order batswoman known for her impressive batting style.

3)When did Alex Blackwell make her international debut?

Blackwell made her first international appearance for the Australian women’s cricket team in 2003.

4)What are some of her notable achievements in cricket?

Alex Blackwell was part of the Australian team that won the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2005 and the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in 2010. She also played a vital role in the success of the Australian women’s team in the Women’s Ashes series.

5)How many matches did she play for Australia?

During her international career, Alex Blackwell played a total of 251 matches across all formats of the game.

6)Did Alex Blackwell hold any leadership roles?

Yes, Blackwell had the honor of briefly captaining the Australian women’s cricket team. She led the team during the 2017-2018 season.

7)What is her highest score in international cricket?

Blackwell’s highest score in international cricket is 114, not out, which she achieved against England in an ODI match.

8)When did Alex Blackwell retire from international cricket?

Alex Blackwell announced her retirement from international cricket in February 2018 after a successful career spanning 15 years.

9) Is Alex Blackwell married?

Yes, Alex Blackwell is married to Lynsey Askew, a former professional cricket player. They share a strong bond both on and off the cricket field.

10) Does Alex Blackwell have children?

A: There is no public information available regarding Alex Blackwell having children at this time.