Kara Sutherland represented NSW and Queensland in a highly successful cricket career.
Her vast experience and leadership was invaluable to Valley reinvigorated the Women’s cricket program.
Let find out more about Kara’s journey in the game
Keith Dudgeon Cricket Specialist are one of the proud sponsors of Valley Cricket Club
Welcome Kara
Firstly, what year you were born?
1991
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 9 years old. I’d been to one training session and the coach called my dad and said they were going to be short on Saturday and would I like to play. I can’t remember whether we won, or how we went, but I’m still friends with some of the guys I played with to this day.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started off with Souths Services Cricket Club in Grafton, NSW. From there I played for Clarence Valley, North Coast, NSW Country and NSW through the underage pathway. I then played for the NSW Breakers, Kent, QLD Fire, Sydney Sixers, and Brisbane Heat and was lucky enough to tour with the Australian Shooting Stars a number of times.
I’ve also been involved with some great clubs - Campbelltown-Camden and Universities in Sydney, Hayes CC in the UK, and Uni and Valley’s in Brisbane.
What other sports do you play?
I’m still involved in indoor cricket and used to play just about every sport growing up. I’m now trying to learn how to play AFL and I’m a passionate Rugby League fan.
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
I’ve just finished “The Last Dance” which I really enjoyed, and I’ll always love The Longest Yard.
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
I’m a bit of a thrill seeker. A group of friends got me a surprise skydive for my 21st and my partner and I are planning to cycle Death Road when the borders reopen and we can reschedule our trip.
What’s your highest score in senior cricket?
My highest score in Brisbane was a century in my final game for Valley’s in the 2018/19 One Day Semi Final against Wests at Graceville.
Kara bringing up her maiden ton for Valley in what was her last game for the club.
What has been your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
3 for 5 would have been my best in WBBL and I took 3 for 15 for Valley against University of Queensland including a hat trick
Can you tell us which players in the club we should be looking out for in terms of higher representative honours?
The last season I played, Charli Knott (Valley) showed incredible patience and concentration, especially for her age.
Who has been the fastest bowler you have played against so far?
That last day at Graceville Holly Ferling was bowling quick!
Who has been the best spinner you have played against so far?
Lisa Sthalekar used to absolutely terrorise me in the nets when I first joined the NSW Breakers set-up.
Who has been the best batsman you’ve played against?
I got to play a charity match where I bowled to both Brian Lara and Sir Viv Richards.
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Courtney Hill
Who was your childhood hero?
Brad Fittler and Steve Waugh
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Jordan, Serena Williams and Roger Federer
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Isa Guha
Who are the two local players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Meagan Dixon and Jemma Barsby.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The downtime with team mates in between balls or while the team was batting.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Times spent in the change rooms celebrating wins - whether they were WNCL Finals or especially close round games.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
In the first season of WBBL with the Sydney Sixers we’d lost all first 7 games. We then started a run of wins and got to the point where we had to beat the Hurricanes in the final round game to make the semis. We got ourselves into a horrible position before Sara McGlashan and Emily Leys pulled off a remarkable chase. I’ve never run as fast as I did to get out there and hug them that day!
What are your hobbies?
I started CrossFit again in December, which I’m really enjoying. I love travelling and planning trips, as well as camping.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
My dad’s favourite saying has always been “is the risk worth the reward?” and you know what, sometimes it is.
What are your cricketing ambitions?
For now, my career is well and truly behind me, but I’d love to one day see my kids involved in the game.
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