Hard times driving Sutherland to cricket stardom

First it was two brothers terrorising her in the backyard, now it’s the pain of failure.

There’s always something driving Annabel Sutherland.

On Monday night the 23-year-old star was rewarded for her stellar form when she collected the Belinda Clark Award as Australian women’s cricketer of the year.

It is the first time Sutherland has won any of the three top Australian women’s categories – the one-day and T20 international honours, as well as the top prize.

She was crowned as the top woman in Australian cricket on Monday night as Travis Head, with the Test team in Sri Lanka, won the men’s Allan Border Medal.

It came only a couple of days after the Australian women won their Ashes series in a whitewash, further underscoring the team’s dominance.

Last week Sutherland became the first woman to score a Test century on the MCG with her 163. She had started the voting period a year ago with an imperious 210 in the Perth Test against South Africa.

But midway through her acceptance speech at the Australian cricket awards night, Sutherland reflected on the one that got away last October – losing the T20 World Cup semi-final to South Africa.

It ended their run of three-straight world titles and gave Sutherland pause for thought.

“It didn’t sit overly well. It made me think they’re actually not that easy to win, surprisingly, given our record over the last few years,” Sutherland said.

“It’s tough when teams are coming at you. You’re at the top of the list for other countries and everyone wants to knock you off.

“But the way we responded after that World Cup probably just shows the character of that group. Everyone went to work.”

That work has culminated in England being sent home in tatters.

Apart from her obvious physical talents, Sutherland had an unfair advantage as a youngster in that her dad, James, was Cricket Australia chief executive.

So Sutherland regularly visited the Australian women’s dressing rooms and grew up around the national team.

But she also was reared in the family school of hard knocks, courtesy of brothers Will and Tom. Will, too, is now a star Victorian player.

“I wouldn’t be here without you guys. You haven’t made it easy growing up in the backyard and you never backed off, which I’m certainly grateful for now,” Sutherland said in her acceptance speech.

“I wasn’t at the time.”

The prestigious award gives Sutherland bragging rights at coming family functions, although she notes any attitude will be thrown straight back at her.

Sutherland also suspects still living at home might be wearing thin on her parents.

“They’re probably close to trying to kick me out. But no, I’m sure they’re very proud,” she said.