Tara Murray
Taylors Hill’s Chand Negi didn’t start playing cricket until she was 38, but wishes she had a lot earlier.
After going down to the nets with her son, she decided to take up the sport playing for Burnside Springs in the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association.
A premiership in her first year and a finals appearance in her second season, Negi decided that she wanted to test herself at a higher level.
“I felt like I wanted to challenge myself and see if I can play a higher level of cricket,” she said.
“I went to some trials at a couple of premier clubs. Carlton Cricket Club gave me the opportunity to play there.
“I was so excited when I was given the offer to play cricket. I had a great time in my first season 2020-21 of premier cricket.
“We made it to the grand final and won the final. We were premiers of the inaugural third XI competition.”
Negi became captain of Carlton’s third XI last season, a role she continued to hold this season.
She became a premiership winning captain last month.
“We’ve worked really hard for the last two years and I was captain as we played our grand final against Geelong,” she said.
“It was a nail biting finish as it was a tie. As we finished on top of the ladder we won the premiership.”
Negi said she was extremely proud to have captained a premiership winning side, saying she hoped that it would inspire others to take up the sport at an older age.
“To have five premiership medals and four of them being Inaugural comps is massive,” she said. “I’m so proud and privileged to have been given the opportunities.
“What I learnt through my journey is it’s never too late. Don’t let age be a barrier to what you want to do in life.
“If you’re willing to work hard, anything is possible. I play cricket not only to fulfil my dream of playing cricket but also to inspire and be a role model for young girls and women.”
Having represented Team Nepal at the Melbourne Stars League and Victoria at the national over-40 competition last season, Negi has her eyes on even more achievements on the cricket field.
“I thought playing in over-40s for my state of Victoria was one my biggest achievements but to win a premiership as a captain probably takes over,” she said.
“My next goal is to be selected to play for Australia in the over-40s inaugural competition.”
