Many cricketers do not take indoor cricketers seriously but that probably isn’t the case for any of Jude Coleman’s 106 victims in her 9 seasons with The Queensland Fire. A competitive, clever and innovative medium pacer and more than useful lower order batter, her career highlights include taking 5 for 26 against NSW in the 2005/06 grand final series and twice winning the Kath Smith medal as the best player in Brisbane club cricket.
Regarded by some at her height as the best indoor cricketer in the world, Jude captained Australia from 2005 to 2017 winning 6 World Cups. Since retiring from playing she is forging an impressive coaching career utilising her great knowledge of the game and training as a physical education teacher. A former assistant coach of the Australian under 19 side and Queensland Talent and Pathways Manager, she is now Assistant Coach of the South Australia Scorpions and Adelaide Strikers in the WBBL.
Jude Coleman was an integral member of a strong Queensland side and is highly regarded by her fellow Fire players:
Julia Price – former Queensland captain and Australian wicketkeeper
Jude was a quality bowler in the women's game. She had good pace and great outswing and set fields accordingly. Who has 2 slips and a gully anymore? Love it!! An awesome competitor and underrated batter who hit the ball very cleanly. Was quietly cheeky behind the scenes and a great team player and always the first (well maybe the second) to the beers to celebrate a win or commiserate a loss. Also contributed so much to the growth of the game particularly in Beaudesert & Beenleigh by encouraging her indoor mates to try and outdoor game.
Melissa Bulow - former Queensland captain & Australian wicketkeeper
It may be down to her country upbringing but Jude is one of the most quality and down-to-earth people you could hope to meet. She does have a slight obsession with Keith Urban however which only served to rival my own for Whitney Houston and sadly for our teammates there was always a battle over which would get the most air-time during warm-ups. Ultra-competitive and always thinking, she was an incredibly smart tactician with the ball and always a step ahead with her bowling plans. Jude possessed a ball we affectionately called 'the wobbly' – if I was batting she only had to say she was bowling it and I would go into crisis management mode - it would literally wobble through the air and I found myself mentally playing the stroke 1000 times prior to completing the physical task. Coming from a teaching background, Jude always possessed great leadership skills and commanded attention whenever she spoke in team meetings or the dressing room.
“The best part about retiring was Jude not asking me to play indoor cricket any more”
Kirsten Pike – former Queensland & Australian fast bowler
JC is just a ripper. Her game had a lot of indoor about it (I guess being the best indoor player in the world would do that) but it felt like she had 100 variations with the ball, brought the slower ball out the back of her hand to the women’s game and bowled perfect outswingers. Her batting was underrated - her only fault being she would verbalise the down and up for one and she was just the person you wanted to field under the lid or in the cordon. She could quite literally talk under water out there. Although to be honest, when she was in the cordon I’m sure her end game was simply to get Mel (or the batter) to laugh. Either way, there was laughter, thigh slaps and snorts. The latter two coming from Bulow standing at first slip.
She was the ultimate team player, enjoyed a beer with me after a game or a red wine at dinner - Annie’s Lane was a must there for a while...whenever we saw it on the menu it was always a good omen for bowling in the corridor the next day - and just the person you would always pick in your team.
Will make a big impact in the coaching scene. She’s a huge talent.
What year you were born?
1981
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I have a clear memory of a game of cricket when I was younger, but not sure if it was my first. It was an under 10’s game for Kerry Cricket Club (Beaudesert) and I only remember it because I got a few wickets.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started playing club for Kerry Cricket Club in Beaudesert when I was 8. I played there until I was 14 and then had a break from the game. I did not even think about playing women’s cricket in the open grade, as I didn’t think I would be good enough and also, I didn’t want to make Mum or Dad drive all over Brisbane. I came back to the game in 2003, after a number of years playing vigoro in Boonah. When I came back, I played for Beenleigh-Logan (who later became Ipswich/Logan) in the Women’s Brisbane Premier Grade, until I retired in 2013. I was selected to play for Qld Fire against NSW in January of 2004.
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in grade cricket and how did you perform?
Late starter. I was 22 and I did reasonably well.
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
Medium pace swing bowler, who also was a bit of a hack with the bat.
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
I scored a hundred in a Premier Cricket 2 day final for Beenleigh-Logan against Wynnum. Can’t remember the year.
Jude Coleman batting
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
I couldn’t tell you, to be honest. I do remember taking a hattrick for Beenleigh-Logan, but I can’t remember which year.
Who have been the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Cathryn Fitzpatrick – I only every faced 2 balls against her, but she was scary. I never wore a helmet, so of course the two balls I faced were bouncers.
Ellyse Perry – in her early years she was very quick and moved the ball late.
Karen Rolton – was a lot faster than you expected her to be and swung the ball both ways.
Elysse Perry
Who has been the best three spinners you have played against?
Jess Jonassen, Shelley Nitschke, Lisa Sthalaker. Never did like facing left arm orthodox bowlers and Jess and Shelley are two of the best ever, and Sthalaker was very smart with her change of pace.
Jess Jonassen
Who has been the best 3 batters you’ve played against?
Karen Rolton – she hit the ball harder than anyone and scored runs for fun, especially against me it seemed.
Meg Lanning – Her ability to score off good bowling and even if you had 5 fielders covering from backward point to cover, she would find the gap.
Mel Bulow – was always a cracking game between Western Suburbs and Beenleigh-Logan and a big part of that was Mel Bulow. You always knew it would be a tough battle.
Meg Lanning
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand?
Karen Rolton. We had set a decent target (I can’t remember how many) with Mel Bulow scoring a 100, but Rolts batted pretty much the whole innings for 150. She took the game away from us.
Was there any batter in particular that stirred the emotions and competitive spirit where you really wanted their wicket?
Any batter I bowled to. I am ultra-competitive, didn’t matter who, I wanted to get them out.
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Julia Price
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Jodie Fields – Her determination to win cricket games is something I admire. Rachel Haynes – similar to Jodie, she is determined to win cricket games for her team, but most recently I admire her leadership and understanding of how to get the best out of her players.
Jodie Fields
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Was actually my Australian Indoor Captain, Donna Dalby. She lead by example and got the best out of her players.
Who was your childhood hero?
Steve Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Steffi Graf, Richie McCaw, Steve Kerr (Golden State Warriors Coach)
Steffi Graf
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Ricky Ponting/Julia Price
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Allan Border Oval
What there a particular team you especially looked forward to playing against?
NSW – always NSW…interstate rivalry at its best
You are also a highly decorated indoor cricketer, what do you love about both sports?
I love the intensity of indoor cricket, being so close to your opposition and the speed of the game. Outdoor I love the mental challenge of being able to perform your skills for such a long period of time.
Who was your funniest teammate?
Julia Price – her smart arse sense of humour. Anyone who knows her needs no explanation here.
What’s your favourite Beatles song?
Haha I am going to disappoint you here. It is not the answer I am sure you are after…’I Wanna Hold Your Hand’
What was your most embarrassing dismissal?
I am not sure I remember one.
What is your most memorable cricket moment?
Unfortunately my most memorable moment is not a fond memory. Qld were playing NSW in a best of 3 finals series in WNCL. It was one game apiece and we needed 4 runs off 3 overs, with 3 wickets in hand to win…and we lost by 3. I was one of those wickets ☹ (I am so sorry to all my teammates for making you relive this experience)
My most memorable Indoor Cricket moment is winning the 2009 World Cup in Brisbane, in front of family and friends.
Jude Coleman celebrates taking a wicket
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Probably my first ever WNCL game against NSW. It was the first time we had beaten them in some time. I could see, even as a newcomer, how much it meant to my teammates.
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Julia Price, Mel Bulow and Kirsten Pike
What are your hobbies?
Finding new coffee shops and playing golf
Image - All Australian Vigoro Titles in Ipswich in 2015. Jude is with former Ipswich mayor Paul Pisale
"Of course I'll visit you Paul"
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Work hard and be a good listener.
You moved to South Australia in 2019, what is your current role?
I am currently the Assistant Coach for the South Australia Scorpions and Adelaide Strikers (WBBL).
What are your major priorities for ensuring Australian cricket remains successful on and off the field?
My main priorities are to instil a love of learning in my players, so they always want to improve and to ensure they realise the privileged position they are in being able to earn money from playing cricket. There are many players who have played before them who would love to be in their position, so don’t ever take it for granted.
About Dean Tuckwell
Former premiership first grade player with Western Suburbs in Queensland Premier Cricket Dean opened The Adventure Traveller in 2000.
In this crazy year it is important to support small business. With 30 years’ experience in the travel industry Dean has preferred arrangements with many suppliers, access to online deals not available to the public and a wealth of knowledge to ensure you get the most out of your trip so even if you only require a flight or accommodation, give him a call on 1800 181 020 or visit The Adventure Traveller
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