“It’s still quite surreal”: Lyn Larsen reflects on Australian Cricket Hall of Fame induction

One of the great pioneers of women’s cricket, Lyn Larsen is the latest inductee into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame after a storied career on and off the field.

A leg spinner from Lismore, Larsen’s international playing career spanned a decade from 1984-94, with captaincy honours coming in ‘87 at just 22 years old.

She played 15 Tests for Australia, recording 410 runs and 26 wickets, along with 49 ODI appearances to notch 426 runs and 24 wickets.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast after being inducted, Larsen described the humble beginnings that led to her iconic cricketing life.

“Dad was just an average club cricketer… it was never any serious sort of pursuit,” she said.

“A friend of mine asked me to fill in at the Lismore women’s cricket comp.

“That was the beginning of it all, I played club cricket on Saturdays there on in for the next 15 or 16 years.”

After her playing career, Larsen remained an integral part of international women’s cricket, featuring as a selector for three years and manager of Australia’s youth side, bringing up many of the stars that have graced the field in decades since.

She views her achievement post-playing in a similar light to her on-field accomplishments and is renowned nation-wide as one of the great leaders and growers of the game in Australia.

“I feel very privileged,” Larsen added.

“To take the youth team to India in ‘94 with up and coming greats… to manage the Australian team on a tour of England in ‘98.

“Going on that Test tour as captain in ‘87 to England and winning the first test… I think that was the first Test won on English soil.”

Alongside the great Michael Hussey, Larsen is one of the two latest inclusions into Australia’s Cricket Hall of Fame, joining an exclusive list of just 61 other names to achieve the same.

Image: The West Australian