Bulow is prepared to stand and deliver
WHEN Mel Bulow retired from international cricket at the start of the summer, it left just one thing left on the list of cricket career achievements.
Bulow, Queensland's all-time leading run-scorer, has not reached her usual heights with the bat this summer.
In previous seasons she has inevitably scored heavily, but Queensland has struggled.
This year it is the other way around and Bulow hopes it means she is due, because she is ready to deliver in the Women's National Cricket League finals. "It is one of my last big desires - to win a national title," she said.
Bulow retired from international representative cricket when she knocked back the chance to represent the Shooting Stars, effectively the Australia A team.
"I realised my international days were over," the 32-year-old former Redbank Plains cricketer said.
"They say you know when it's your time and I just knew."
Queensland heads into Friday's WNCL (one-day) semi-final against Victoria confident but wary.
Confident because Queensland has beaten Victoria this season, but wary because the Vics are the only team to have beaten leaders NSW this summer.
"Their batting is their strength," Bulow said of the Victorians.
"But our bowling is our strength.
"It is an evenly matched contest.
"The key is starting well and, if we bowl first, trying to identify the weaknesses in their top four early."
"The key is starting well and, if we bowl first, trying to identify the weaknesses in their top four early."
And if Queensland progress to play NSW in the final, no-one will relish the challenge more than Bulow.
