Betts flies her way to the WBBL
December 20, 2017
UNLIKE most junior cricketers, Samantha Betts didn’t drive to training – she flew.
The 21-year-old was never destined to play professional cricket, but persistence personified has allowed her to pull on the Adelaide Strikers jersey in the Women’s Big Bash League.
Growing up in Broken Hill, a rural town in NSW, local cricket wasn’t an option for Betts.
But due to a stunning ambition to succeed with ball in hand, she was never deterred.
Through sheer dedication and astounding commitment, Betts sacrificed the typical childhood, seeking an opportunity to improve at the game she loved.
“I wanted to go to as many trainings as possible so I used to fly down on the morning of training and fly back at 5:30 the next morning so I could get back in time for school,” Betts said.
But with weekly flights came hefty bills, something no teenager could afford.
“We used to do a lot of bake sales and raffles and go around to a lot of the local businesses of Broken Hill who were very supportive,” Betts said.
“I was very fortunate that they got behind me and helped fund a lot of the trips down.”
At first, cricket was a mere hobby for Betts – the sole female playing amongst the boys – but before long, her dream career became a reality.
“Once I realised girls played cricket everything opened up for me, and it’s something I’ve never looked back on,” she said.
“[I had] this determination inside of me to keep trying to be the best I can be.”
Now playing three consecutive seasons for the Strikers, her hard work has paid off. Known for medium-pace swing bowling late in an innings, Betts has taken seven wickets from her nine career appearances in the WBBL thus far.
Australian great, Shelley Nitschke, provided Betts a chance to shine, recognising her talent at a junior clinic – one which changed the trajectory of her life.
“Without Shelley and the support she gave me early on I wouldn’t be playing for South Australia,” she said.
“I’m very fortunate to be discovered by such a legend of the game.”
In a fitting tribute, Betts now dons the number 14, made famous by Nitschke throughout her career.
“It’s an incredible honour to wear her shirt number and I hope I can do it justice,” she said.
At just 17 years of age, Betts’ career began, representing the South Australian Scorpions, and she had an immediate impact at the top-level.
Following an impressive three-wicket haul against Victoria in the 2015/16 season, Betts was awarded the Adam Gilchrist Scholarship, allowing her to develop the craft of bowling in the UK. But misfortune aplenty, Betts succumbed to stress fractures in her back last summer.
“That was a pretty tough time, missing out on the Big Bash League last year,” she said.
“But it got me to really stop and think about how much I really wanted to play cricket and that determination and passion inside me only grew from the injury.”
With continuity in her game, Betts has finally secured an opportunity to play on national television.
“We all kind of pinch ourselves a bit to see how far the women’s game has grown,” she said.
“It’s an awesome time to be a part of women’s sport and cricket in particular.”
Off the field, Betts’ future appears equally bright, recently embarking on a new journey – studying occupational therapy.
“I’ve really been enjoying my degree so far,” she said
“It’s always just good to have that fall back … and it’s a career I’ll enjoy a lot alongside cricket.”