Women enter Tigers' den

Listen

Monday, 28 July 2025

For the women players at Knox City Cricket Club, it’s not just about the sport.

Council support has enabled the establishment of the first women’s cricket team in half a century at the club. And in their first season, the new Tigers team won the premiership in their grade.

Club secretary Nilakshi Perera hopes the team’s success will inspire others in the community and provide more opportunities for women and girls.

“Aside from our captain and one other player, none of us had played cricket before,” she says.

“I think we all truly appreciate not just playing cricket but also the friendships we’ve formed. It’s about women empowering women, lifting each other and creating a supportive space where we inspire more women to step forward, give it a go and be part of something bigger. And because we started from scratch, anyone new to the game is more than welcome to join us. We understand exactly what it’s like to be a beginner and are here to support them every step of the way.

“Our bond is more important than the premiership — that is the best thing we got out of it.”

A Minor Grant received from Council helped form the women’s team and will also be used to develop a second team for next season.

“The team that won the premiership is going up to the next grade and the plan is to have a development team for people who never played cricket before so they can try cricket and have a taste of it,” Nilakshi says.

Vice-captain Raj Sharma comes all the way from Craigieburn in Melbourne’s north to play with the team.

“It means something if I’m happy to travel that far every week to be in the team, just to support each other and to play,” she says.

Last season, she won both Champion Player and Highest Wicket Taker of the grade.

Player Savithri Cooray first came to the club because her husband played cricket.

“I just came to watch but then I met Nilakshi,” she says. “I had the chance to learn new things like bowling and batting. A lot goes on behind the scenes in each game, everyone has a role to play. This team shares a special bond and we will forever be close friends. Lifelong friendships are the best thing I got out of this sport.”

The team also plays indoor cricket so the sport can be played year-round.

Anyone interested in joining Knox City Cricket Club should visit knoxcitycricketclub.com.au or contact Nilakshi via [email protected]

Women enter Tigers' den

What's happening

Newsletter