Karen Rolton: World Cup Wins, A Test Double-Hundred and Staying Connected to the Game She Loves Through ACA Programs

Karen Rolton is one of the genuine greats of Australian Cricket.

Her accolades speak for themselves: four Belinda Clark Awards, two world cup wins (with a hundred in the Final in 2005) and ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year to name a few on the long list.

Rolton scored 1,002 runs in Test cricket, which currently stands as the most by any Australian woman in the format, along with 4814 runs in ODIs, which is the second most by any Australian behind only Belinda Clark, who was Karen's captain for much of her career.

An amazing career, and quite the journey from the 12-year-old girl who didn’t want to get out of the car when she arrived at her first training session at an all-women's club.

Prior to this session, a young Karen Rolton wasn’t even aware that women played cricket. She had previously been playing as the only girl in boys' teams, but it wasn’t long until she would make her first underage state team, being selected in the under 18’s South Australia team at age 14.

Playing for South Australia was something Karen always loved. To then go on and represent her country on the international stage is something she looks back on fondly. The 1997 World Cup Win is one memory that sticks out as particularly special.

“To play in front of 60,000-80,000 people was insane. The noise, I remember as the crowd built up over the day, you couldn't even talk to your teammate who was just a few meters away from you.

“To win the first World Cup that you play in was something special.”

Other highlights that stand out for Rolton include the 2005 World Cup Final triumph, where she made 107* on her way to being awarded both Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament, as well as making 209* in a Test match in 2001, which was the highest Women’s Test score ever at the time.

Such an impact Karen had, that now you’ll see the South Australia Men’s and Women’s teams playing Shield, One-Day Cup and WNCL at Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide.

“It's still funny to me when I see or hear my name mentioned” Karen says.

“It is a fantastic honour.

“When I first found out I was quite shocked,
and I guess you don't believe it until you actually see it. I remember the opening and having all my family and close friends around.

“People still talk about it today, I have friends that send me photos or say, ‘oh, we just drove by your oval’
, so, it is an amazing honour and it’s pretty special.”

Once Karen’s amazing playing career came to an end, her impact continued in the form of coaching.

Post-retirement, Karen made the move to Melbourne and started coaching with Essendon Maribyrnong Park, but is now heading into her eighth season involved at Melbourne Cricket Club.

Making the most of the ACA’s Premier Cricket Program, Karen has held roles ranging from mentor to Head Coach, assisting with batting on game days and providing guidance wherever she can.

Karen didn’t always see herself coaching once her playing career was over, after a long-time in and around the cricket system she had been looking forward to free weekends away from the game.

“Because I played cricket at a young age and I had done it for 21 years, I was like, ‘I just want weekends and everything free’, but 15 years on I'm still coaching, so that obviously shows how much I love the game. The main thing now is I just love seeing the girls improve from one season to the next.”

“I get enjoyment out of seeing them do well and if I can assist in any way, that makes me happy.”

As well as the ACA’s Premier Cricket Program, Karen has also been involved in the Game Development Program, assisting with Victorian Pathway teams, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

From an amazing playing career for South Australia and Australia, to fostering the next generation through the ACA’s Premier Cricket and Game Development Programs, Karen Rolton is a true legend of Australian Sport.

ACA Members interested in learning more about the Premier Cricket Program are encouraged to reach out to premiercricket@auscricket.com.au, while any Members interested in the Game Development Program should reach out to acateam@auscricket.com.au