Courtney Sippel – Bringing The Heat

Courtney Sippel of Brisbane Heat bowls during the week 1 Women’s Big Bash League cricket match between Perth Scorchers and Brisbane Heat. Credit: Pete Dovgan/Speed Media/Alamy Live News

Step into the world of Courtney Sippel, a rising star from Country Queensland, leaving her mark with the Brisbane Heat in the WBBL and Queensland in the WNCL.

Delve deep with us as Courtney reveals the genesis of her cricketing passion, the relentless dedication it takes to secure a place in the QLD squad, her nuanced bowling strategies throughout the game, her journey to representing Australia A, and, of course, the dream lineup she’d pick for her ultimate cricket net session.

Don’t forget to hit that subscribe button on the Cricket Library Podcast and share your positive reviews to help us to keep sharing stories like this one.

Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game The Cricket Library

Former West Indies opening batter, Adrian Griffith joins the Cricket Library Podcast for a fascinating and deeply reflective conversation about cricket, identity, purpose, and life beyond the game. Growing up in Barbados, Adrian rose through Caribbean cricket to become an opening batter for the West Indies cricket team during one of the most compelling eras in world cricket. He shares stories from his early journey into first-class cricket, touring Australia, facing elite fast bowling, and the pressures that come with representing the maroon cap at the highest level. One of the highlights of the episode is Adrian reflecting on his remarkable Test match against New Zealand, where he became the first West Indian cricketer to bat on all five days of a Test match — a rare and unique achievement in cricket history. Adrian also revisits the unforgettable Test against Australia where Brian Lara produced one of the greatest innings the game has ever seen, offering incredible insight into Lara’s brilliance and the atmosphere surrounding that iconic moment in cricket and the story behind his selection in the team. Beyond the playing field, Adrian discusses his transition into officiating as an ICC match referee and his current work with AGC, where he continues contributing to leadership, mentoring, and the development of people within and beyond cricket. While the conversation celebrates Test cricket, West Indies history, and unforgettable moments, it also explores a deeper theme — that achievements on the field do not fully define a person’s worth. Adrian shares thoughtful reflections on transition, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond cricket. Topics include: • The significance of the Maroon West Indies Cricket Cap • Touring Australia • Batting on all five days of a Test match • Test cricket pressures • Caribbean cricket culture • ICC match refereeing • Leadership and mentoring • AGC and life after cricket • Purpose and identity beyond sport If you love cricket history, long-form conversations, and powerful human stories from inside the game, this episode is for you.
  1. Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game
  2. Babette de Leede – World Cup & Global Cricket Journey
  3. Paul Harris – The Journey of a Proteas Spinner
  4. Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage
  5. Ken Piesse – A Life In Cricket Writing

Spin to Win: A Chat with Kristen Beams

Australia Women’s Kristen Beams appeals for the wicket of Pakistan Women’s Sana Mir
PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Kristen Beams was one of the first female cricketers to take the plunge and move states to pursue her dream of playing at the highest level. She would go on to represent Australia with distinction as a leg spinner across all three formats of the game. 

We will hear how Kristen found a home at the Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club experiencing some of her fondest cricket memories including breaking a premiership winning drought at the club.

Kristen reflects on her time playing for Victoria, winning three consecutive T20 titles taking 6-20 including a hat trick as well as breaking into the Australian team.

She shares the significance behind her choice of the number 14 shirt for Australia, her memories of playing a Test Match as well as giving us insights into the 2017 World Cup.

We ask Kristen about captaining the Melbourne Stars, commentating on ABC Grandstand and the Australian team winning the 2020 World Cup in front of over 86000 fans at the MCG.

Needless to say we will also find out which three people Kristen would most like to join her in the nets. Without giving too much away, we can reveal a Tasmanian icon rates a mention.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to share stories like this one from Kristen Beams. 

Career Statistics

CompetitionWTestWODIWT20IWBBL
Matches1301845
Runs scored2634614
Batting average6.806.007.00
100s/50s0/00/00/00/0
Top score26*11*4*14
Balls bowled661,490378891
Wickets0422037
Bowling average22.4516.6024.08
5 wickets in innings0000
10 wickets in match0
Best bowling4/153/114/11
Catches/stumpings0/–10/–4/–13/

Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game The Cricket Library

Former West Indies opening batter, Adrian Griffith joins the Cricket Library Podcast for a fascinating and deeply reflective conversation about cricket, identity, purpose, and life beyond the game. Growing up in Barbados, Adrian rose through Caribbean cricket to become an opening batter for the West Indies cricket team during one of the most compelling eras in world cricket. He shares stories from his early journey into first-class cricket, touring Australia, facing elite fast bowling, and the pressures that come with representing the maroon cap at the highest level. One of the highlights of the episode is Adrian reflecting on his remarkable Test match against New Zealand, where he became the first West Indian cricketer to bat on all five days of a Test match — a rare and unique achievement in cricket history. Adrian also revisits the unforgettable Test against Australia where Brian Lara produced one of the greatest innings the game has ever seen, offering incredible insight into Lara’s brilliance and the atmosphere surrounding that iconic moment in cricket and the story behind his selection in the team. Beyond the playing field, Adrian discusses his transition into officiating as an ICC match referee and his current work with AGC, where he continues contributing to leadership, mentoring, and the development of people within and beyond cricket. While the conversation celebrates Test cricket, West Indies history, and unforgettable moments, it also explores a deeper theme — that achievements on the field do not fully define a person’s worth. Adrian shares thoughtful reflections on transition, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond cricket. Topics include: • The significance of the Maroon West Indies Cricket Cap • Touring Australia • Batting on all five days of a Test match • Test cricket pressures • Caribbean cricket culture • ICC match refereeing • Leadership and mentoring • AGC and life after cricket • Purpose and identity beyond sport If you love cricket history, long-form conversations, and powerful human stories from inside the game, this episode is for you.
  1. Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game
  2. Babette de Leede – World Cup & Global Cricket Journey
  3. Paul Harris – The Journey of a Proteas Spinner
  4. Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage
  5. Ken Piesse – A Life In Cricket Writing

Heather Graham Special Guest On The Cricket Library Weekly

IMAGE COURTESY OF HOBART HURRICANES

In our second episode for the 2022/23 season, we are joined by special guest Heather Graham from the Hobart Hurricanes.

Heather who is one of only three players in the 100 wicket / 1000 run club in the WBBL, shares with us the origins of her passion for cricket and reflects on the key ingredients to the successful teams she has been a part of.

She speaks about what is ahead for the Hurricanes, looks back on winning the WBBL in her 100th game and how much it would mean to the players to send coach Dan Marsh out a winner.

Robbie and Matt run their eye over some of the key performances in the Australian Men’s Domestic summer to date and the ever popular Tabbsy’s Take segment returns after receiving plenty of plaudits following the world premiere of the segment last week.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to start conversations that inspire a love of cricket.

Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game The Cricket Library

Former West Indies opening batter, Adrian Griffith joins the Cricket Library Podcast for a fascinating and deeply reflective conversation about cricket, identity, purpose, and life beyond the game. Growing up in Barbados, Adrian rose through Caribbean cricket to become an opening batter for the West Indies cricket team during one of the most compelling eras in world cricket. He shares stories from his early journey into first-class cricket, touring Australia, facing elite fast bowling, and the pressures that come with representing the maroon cap at the highest level. One of the highlights of the episode is Adrian reflecting on his remarkable Test match against New Zealand, where he became the first West Indian cricketer to bat on all five days of a Test match — a rare and unique achievement in cricket history. Adrian also revisits the unforgettable Test against Australia where Brian Lara produced one of the greatest innings the game has ever seen, offering incredible insight into Lara’s brilliance and the atmosphere surrounding that iconic moment in cricket and the story behind his selection in the team. Beyond the playing field, Adrian discusses his transition into officiating as an ICC match referee and his current work with AGC, where he continues contributing to leadership, mentoring, and the development of people within and beyond cricket. While the conversation celebrates Test cricket, West Indies history, and unforgettable moments, it also explores a deeper theme — that achievements on the field do not fully define a person’s worth. Adrian shares thoughtful reflections on transition, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond cricket. Topics include: • The significance of the Maroon West Indies Cricket Cap • Touring Australia • Batting on all five days of a Test match • Test cricket pressures • Caribbean cricket culture • ICC match refereeing • Leadership and mentoring • AGC and life after cricket • Purpose and identity beyond sport If you love cricket history, long-form conversations, and powerful human stories from inside the game, this episode is for you.
  1. Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game
  2. Babette de Leede – World Cup & Global Cricket Journey
  3. Paul Harris – The Journey of a Proteas Spinner
  4. Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage
  5. Ken Piesse – A Life In Cricket Writing

Cricket Library Weekly Returns For 2022/23

The Cricket Library Weekly returns for season 2022/23 with Robbie Mackinlay and Matt Ellis back to digest all of the cricket talking points each week throughout the summer.

In the first edition of the new season, the lads share their thoughts on the WNCL and WBBL competitions, with some high-quality cricket being played in the early stages of the competitions.

Airing for the first time in an exclusive for the Cricket Library is a brand new segment, ‘Tabbsy’s Take’, where our resident librarian in Orange shares his take on the stats that have caught his eye each week. This is sure to become a favourite with loyal members of the cricket library community. This week there is a bit of a World T20 flavour, with Tabbsy leaving listeners with some homework before next week’s program.

Finally, Robbie and Matt run their eye over some of the key performances in the Australian Men’s Domestic summer to date.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to start conversations that inspire a love of cricket.

Maddie Penna – Special Guest on the Cricket Library Podcast

Maddie Penna is a talented young all rounder making the most of her opportunities with the Abode Hotels ACT Meteors in the WNCL and in the WBBL with the Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers.

In this edition of the Cricket Library Podcast we hear more of her story from her first memories of playing cricket, winning a premiership at Bankstown, captaining the CA XI at the u-18 Nationals, her WBBL call up and maiden WNCL hundred.

Maddie shares the challenges of dealing with injuries and juggling study alongside her cricket commitments. We also hear some of her aspirations for the future both on and off the field.

Please remember to subscribe to the Cricket Library Podcast on your favourite podcast provider and leave a review to help us to continue to share stories that inspire a love of cricket.

Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game The Cricket Library

Former West Indies opening batter, Adrian Griffith joins the Cricket Library Podcast for a fascinating and deeply reflective conversation about cricket, identity, purpose, and life beyond the game. Growing up in Barbados, Adrian rose through Caribbean cricket to become an opening batter for the West Indies cricket team during one of the most compelling eras in world cricket. He shares stories from his early journey into first-class cricket, touring Australia, facing elite fast bowling, and the pressures that come with representing the maroon cap at the highest level. One of the highlights of the episode is Adrian reflecting on his remarkable Test match against New Zealand, where he became the first West Indian cricketer to bat on all five days of a Test match — a rare and unique achievement in cricket history. Adrian also revisits the unforgettable Test against Australia where Brian Lara produced one of the greatest innings the game has ever seen, offering incredible insight into Lara’s brilliance and the atmosphere surrounding that iconic moment in cricket and the story behind his selection in the team. Beyond the playing field, Adrian discusses his transition into officiating as an ICC match referee and his current work with AGC, where he continues contributing to leadership, mentoring, and the development of people within and beyond cricket. While the conversation celebrates Test cricket, West Indies history, and unforgettable moments, it also explores a deeper theme — that achievements on the field do not fully define a person’s worth. Adrian shares thoughtful reflections on transition, identity, leadership, and building a meaningful life beyond cricket. Topics include: • The significance of the Maroon West Indies Cricket Cap • Touring Australia • Batting on all five days of a Test match • Test cricket pressures • Caribbean cricket culture • ICC match refereeing • Leadership and mentoring • AGC and life after cricket • Purpose and identity beyond sport If you love cricket history, long-form conversations, and powerful human stories from inside the game, this episode is for you.
  1. Adrian Griffith on Cricket, Identity & Life Beyond the Game
  2. Babette de Leede – World Cup & Global Cricket Journey
  3. Paul Harris – The Journey of a Proteas Spinner
  4. Paul Van Meekeren – Associate Cricket To World Stage
  5. Ken Piesse – A Life In Cricket Writing

Maddie Penna Coming Soon on the Cricket Library Podcast

Maddie Penna is a young cricketer on the rise having represented the Abode Hotels ACT Meteors in the WNCL and has had a season with the Melbourne Stars and Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL.

Tomorrow morning you will be able to hear her story on the Cricket Library Podcast.

Katie Mack takes top gong for third consecutive year.

Congratulations to former guest on the Cricket Library Podcast Katie Mack who has won her third consecutive Bronwyn Calver Medal for Meteors player of the year at the 2021 ACT Cricket Awards.

It is a testament to her skill & commitment as well as her desire to get the best out of herself. At the Cricket Library we are thrilled to see her receive this honour.

Well done Katie Mack!

To hear more about Katie and her cricket career so far, make sure you go back and have a listen to her appearance on the podcast last year.

The Mack and Kershaw show

Katie Mack and Erica Kershaw have helped lead the ACT to victory in their final WNCL game of the season. Kershaw finished with a well made 52 while Mack playing her 50th WNCL game was dismissed just five runs short of a century.

Katie had a magnificent season with the willow finishing with 418 runs for the season with a very healthy average of 59.71.

Erica and Katie were both very popular guests on the Cricket Library Podcast last year.

Bolton take a bow

Haiku Poem by Matt Fiction

The runs are flowing

A century for Nicole

Bolton take a bow

You can hear more about the race to the WNCL finals on the latest edition of the Cricket Library Weekly with Robbie Mackinlay and Matt Ellis.