ECKLIN Cricket Club needed one player to fill its side before fielding in its South West Cricket Association division two match against Simpson on Saturday.
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Up steps Sandra Howarth to lend a helping hand.
The Cobden mother-of-three received a text from captain-coach Brendan Cook asking if she could field.
“I got the text that morning asking if I was milking the cows today and I said I was, but I wasn’t needed till three o’clock. So he said to me do you want to field? To which I replied well if you're short I’ll help field,” the super-sub fielder said.
Howarth had been called up to replace her son Ben Howarth, who is in Greece for his honeymoon.
She did however get to play with her other two boys Alex Johnstone and Brendan Johnstone.
“It was great to play with two of my boys, but it would have been fantastic to play with all three of my boys and my nephew as well,” she said.
“Who knows it could happen again? We will just have to wait and see.”
The 49-year-old was not intimidated by fielding against men, she even attempted a catch during her 40 overs in the field.
“I wasn't scared at all and they had me reasonably close,” she said. “I wasn't concerned at all and you just have to trust your bowlers to put it where they have to put it
“I almost chance had a chance at a catch but it hit the tip of my finger. It wasn't the fact that I dropped it or missed it, it was that I just couldn't quite reach it.”
Howarth was delighted to get the opportunity to field.
“Just to be asked and be part of the group was great,” she said. “I wasn't nervous and I had to ring my second son and ask for some cricket whites. They welcomed me into the team and they were all supportive on the ground.”
The celebration of a wicket was another great surprise for Howarth.
“I had no idea about the celebrations and what went on with them,” she said. “They all came in and patted each other and then they had a discussion and then dispersed again.
“I was like ‘oh okay’ and went back to my position. I thought this is what happens on the field and I was happy to be involved.”
At the conclusion of the innings Howarth rushed off to her job of milking cows. She said that she would be ready to help field again if called upon.