By JARROD POTTER
THE only way the opposition could see off cricketer Carin Eastburn was for her to… fly out of the country.
A pre-Christmas cricket spree has given the Berwick batswoman nearly 500 runs and she still has next year to add to the season’s tally. Carin Eastburn, from Berwick, has been a mainstay in local cricket for the last 25 years and is in sublime touch this season as she’s smashed about all and sundry playing for the Dandenong Women’s Cricket team as their seconds’ team captain.
The runs have been piling up at a great rate this season – including three centuries already in 2014/15 at an average of 119.75 – as Eastburn’s innings this year resemble a good player’s career highlights – 114 not out, 111, 100, 47, 46, 31 and 30.
“It’s been ridiculous – everything is coming off,” Eastburn said.
“I know it’s a purple patch and you look at Bradman and he needed four to average 100 and went out for a duck, so I need to roll with it as long as possible.
“I haven’t even failed yet this year, it’s a bit embarrassing, but I’ve been playing 25 years… 20 years in the seniors… I know it’s a rare thing so I’m just stoked.”
Eastburn didn’t return to the seconds to be a flat-track bully though – she’s looking past her own tally to help guide the younger players through to their own milestones.
“I had a 160 run partnership with Cass (Pollock) which was cool and she made her first 50 for the season so I love seeing the kids perform,” Eastburn said.
“For me it’s all about partnerships… that’s the second 150-run partnership I’ve had with one of the girls… that’s the reason I’m playing there (2nd XI).
“I’ve been playing ones for a long, long time, but I had shoulder surgery… since shoulder surgery I came back last year and this year just captaining the twos.
“It’s nice to be able to pass on some of that knowledge before I retire.”
On top of her cricketing talents, Eastburn recently returned from a trip to India to help build houses for the needy with a group of Lighthouse Christian College Year-12 student she has taught.
“With the service trip it’s like a schoolies trip for the end of Year-12 and we’ve run it through Habitat for Humanity,” Eastburn said.
“We had to fundraise to get over there and fundraise to help with the materials as well as Habitat for Humanity is not-for-profit.
“We fly over there, help out with a local family, do whatever they need with their house for nine or 10 days and then we fly back.”
