Lisa Sthalekar, former Australia captain.
| Photo Credit: P.K. Ajith Kumar
Lisa Sthalekar loves to wear different hats. She is here now with her newest.
She has been a leading all-rounder with 3,913 runs and 229 wickets in international cricket. She has been a coach, administrator and commentator.
But she is at the World Cup in a new capacity. The 46-year-old is a tour organiser and has brought in a group of cricket fans from around the world. The former Australia captain is the co-founder of Around the Wicket.
“When I played in the 2005 World Cup in South Africa, my co-founder and a few friends and a couple of families came out, and it was really people that you recognised in the stands,” Sthalekar told The Hindu.
“I thought why wasn’t there something for women’s cricket?”
The first
Her first major tour as a guide was to India for the Women’s ODI World Cup last year. “Men can come as well, and we had 10 people, which included a man,” said Sthalekar.
“And we have got a lady from New Zealand who has never travelled much. I also have got someone from India who has never been to London.”
Talking about the World Cup, Sthalekar is impressed with Australia and England.
“Australia is ticking all the boxes,” said the winner of two T20 World Cups. “England’s top-order is firing… Lauren Bell has been bowling well and Linsey Smith, too. The real test will be when they lose some early wickets.”
Sthalekar has also been the mentor of UP Warriorz at the WPL. “My time with the UP Warriorz has been wonderful,” she said.
“I have enjoyed working with that group. They are really passionate about what they are trying to do. Unfortunately, things haven’t quite clicked but I don’t think we’re that far away. Look out for the UP Warriorz come season five”.
Published – July 01, 2026 09:20 pm IST
