KYME Rowe is living proof hand-eye coordination is a transferable skill.
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The hockey talent, who has represented Australia at international masters level, is plying her trade as a wicketkeeper-batter in Hawkesdale's inaugural Warrnambool and District Cricket Association women's division side.
So far, so good. Rowe blasted four boundaries and four sixes en route to an unbeaten 55 in the Cats' season opener against North Warrnambool Eels on Sunday.
"I enjoy watching cricket and in the last four or five years I've taken to watching the women's game. I actually went down to the final of the women's Twenty20 world cup in Melbourne last year," Rowe said.
"I really enjoy it but I haven't played since I was 18 or 19 because hockey has been my focus. I made the Australian world cup team for hockey but with COVID, we didn't end up getting to play.
I was just looking forward to seeing how I went, initially, with no pressure or expectation or anything like that.
- Kyme Rowe
"Hockey has been a bit hit and miss with things like footy and netball in the past couple of years through the winter and I really missed that team environment so when (Hawkesdale women's coach) Jason (Elliott) started talking about playing, it was like 'oh, I'll come and have a crack'."
Rowe said she felt comfortable at the crease in her first match and attributed her form to years of high-level hockey.
"We've had a month or so I've training and it's so different, playing and training in the nets," she said. "I was just looking forward to seeing how I went, initially, with no pressure or expectation or anything like that.
"I work with a lot of the cricket clubs through my role at (Warrnambool City Council) and a lot of people knew I was going to play so I was a bit nervous I'd go out for a golden duck but it didn't end up that way which was good."
She said cricket provided a laid back avenue to sport after years of seriousness in hockey. Rowe said Hawkesdale's family atmosphere was also a major bonus.
"For a community or small community group with all those families it's been so, so good," she said. "It's a really laid-back, really lovely feel. The mother-daughter combos are probably what drew me to the club initially, as well as working with Jason pressuring me to come play. We've got three sets of mother-daughters and one of those is a really good friend of mine as well."
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