Nicola Browne
If ever anyone was looking for Nic Browne, she could be found bowling cricket balls or batting with the guys at every opportunity – usually gaining the upperhand!
As well as being one of the school’s best ever all-round athletes, Nicola was extremely conscientious. Her A Bursary included two scholarships – Graphics and Physical Education.
Sport was difficult for Nic. The difficulty came with which sport to choose. As a youngster she had a very promising junior tennis career and gained a national ranking. She was a stunning netballer and loved the challenge and the success at many levels. She was built for volleyball – great elevation and speed. Every athletic event – track, field and cross country, Nic was to the fore but it was cricket that in the end “netted” her fulltime.
Nicola has many wonderful memories of her five years at school. The 2000 netball season where the team had a very successful build-up to the nationals and performed very ably. The 7th form PE kayak trip down the Waikato River was a highlight. Volleyball practices were always entertaining. Weka House, of which she was the leader, claimed the trophy for the year – however they were wrongfully given the runner up position. It didn’t take long for Nicola to correct this mistake!
After leaving school Nicola completed a Diploma of Communication Arts and Design from the Design & Arts College in Christchurch. This was a great qualification, but Nicola has had little time to practise in this field. Sport took over as her career and there has been little time for anything else.
Nicola started by playing provincial cricket for Thames Valley, Northern Districts and Canterbury. It wasn’t long before she was selected to play for NZ. She got her first call up to the White Ferns squad and has been a key player since 2001. Nic says cricket has given her opportunities to compete at the highest level and to travel the world. In her career she has played over 140 matches for her country!
Key achievements have included:
- Finalists for the 2008 ICC women’s cricketer of the year
- Player of the tournament at the West Indies T20 World Cup 2010
- Both NZ bowler and batter of the year
- Twice chosen as national league player of the season.
Her cricketing statistics make impressive reading:
ODI’s
108 games
Ave 27.26
151 4s and 13 6s
Highest batting score: 61 vs Australia
Best Bowling: 4/20 v Ireland
77 wickets
Ranked 3rd NZ Women’s highest wicket taker
ICC Highest Player Ranking
Batting 7th (2009
Bowling 5th (2011)
All rounder 1st (2007)
T20s
43 games
Highest batting score 32
Best bowling 4/15 vs Pakistan
Domestic
102 games
Highest batting score 120 (not out) vs Auckland
World Tours
Australia – Melbourne (3), Sydney (3), Adelaide (2), Hobart (2), Perth (1) Darwin (2), Brisbane (1)
England (5), India (2), Ireland (2), Holland (1), South Africa (1), West Indies (1)
On Field Highlights
Darwin 2007 – named player of the series for the first time.
India 2002 – scored her 1st 50
West Indies – player of tournament
Low Points
Not winning the Rosebowl or a World Cup in her career!
Unforgettable Moments
Enjoying resort life-style whilst playing in West Indies (amazing tournament)
Making friends worldwide
Being hit on the jaw whilst running between wicket – knocked out!
Becoming ill after swimming in the Indian Ocean
As well as spending the last seven years playing cricket she has found time to keep fit for a provincial and Magic netball franchise team. In 2006 Nic played NPC netball for Canterbury and in 2007 played alongside our very own Casey May Williams (NZ Captain) in the Magic team. Nic credits coaches Jo Williamson, Anne Taylor (ex silver fern) and Leslie Harris (ex silver fern) attributing to her successes in netball.
Now that Nic’s cricket career is winding down she has taken a 10 month contract position at Opportunity Hamilton as Project Manager for the new digital strategy, which means she is helping raise the awareness of ultrafast broadband to Hamilton and the benefits from it.
Nic’s Dad attended Matamata College as did her brother Chris who is now part of the family business.