Lauren Cheatle found perspective working for disability support service

• cricket

As a 15-year-old, the left-arm bowler was picked in the elder New South Wales squad. At 17, she made her debut against India at the MCG. She took took a break in school to compete in T20 World Cup in India. Because of the injuries, the 23-year-old hasn't played for Australia since 2019.

"Unfortunately, I did my shoulder for the fourth time, the second on my right shoulder, had another reconstruction — that recovery's usually six to 12 months, so I should be right for the start of next season, which I'm really looking forward to," Cheatle said.

"I started professionally when I was 15 and I feel like these first eight years have gone really fast. "To only play two or three full seasons is disappointing but really exciting to see what I've got ahead of me."

Work outside cricket gives is fulfilling

"It just gives these kids and participants so much fulfillment, we take them outside and do any activity they love," Cheatle said.

"To be able to do that with them is really incredible and just to see what it gives them is really lovely."
"When I look back and have a shoulder injury or a torn calf or miss a game or two, it really doesn't matter in perspective." "A situation like this where people are just here to have fun and enjoy themselves gives them a real opportunity just to join in and feel part of the crowd," Pat Durney, whose son Ryan has autism and ADHD, said.

Cheatle said she would love to play again. "I'd absolutely love to play for Australia again, but they're obviously one of the best teams in the world, dominating world cricket, which is really cool to see," Cheatle said. "I'm just trying to get back on the park for as long as I can, that starts at grade, NSW and Sixers and if that eventuates into something for Australia I'd be extremely proud and would love to do that, but I'd love a whole season on the park [first], which I haven't really done for six years."