EAST Keilor cricketer Kareena Jacobsen-Logan hadn’t even heard of the Imparja Cup until her coach at Melton, Nicole Martin, brought it up.
Even then, Martin wasn’t even aware Jacobsen-Logan was Aboriginal, making her eligible for the Alice Springs cricket tournament, showcasing the country’s best indigenous talent.
Though Jacobsen-Logan’s Invitational XI team fell short in the final against New South Wales, she came back from Australia’s red centre with fond memories of a culturally significant initiative.
“I think it’s something that’s really, really important and I had a ball doing it,” Jacobsen-Logan said.
“I hope that we can get more sides to come and do it because it’s a great experience.
“Even the things we did when we weren’t playing cricket, like we went and had a cultural experience and we went and ate kangaroo tail and learnt about Alice Springs. It was just awesome.”
The hard-hitting batter turned heads while she was there, earning selection into the All-Star team at the end of the competition.
Jacobsen-Logan admitted she was shocked to hear her name called for the honour.
“I was a bit surprised because I think my top score for that tournament was like 26, so I was like ‘what are they thinking?’,” she said.
However, when pushed on the topic, she eventually admitted it was her slogging batting style that would have impressed those in the Alice Springs heat.
“Because it was so hot, I wasn’t really keen on running between the wickets so I just tried to hit the ball as hard as I could,” Jacobsen-Logan said.
“I got hold of a few of them, but I didn’t hit a six, and I really wanted to hit a six.
“Apparently, I was about two inches short of one in the semi final.”
The former Spotswood all-rounder moved from the club she spent a decade with at the start of the season and enjoyed her first summer with Melton, who managed to win seven games for the year.
