2022 02 cricket hall fameRaelee Thompson, regarded as a trailblazer in Women’s Cricket has been named as one of this year's two inductees in the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. She has been named alongside Justin Langer, current Australian Test Cricket Coach.

Raelee a Northern Golf Club member for many years and hailing from Shepparton, is one of the pioneers of the women's game.

A fast bowler who played 16 Tests and 23 One-Day Internationals between 1972 and 1985, she captained the team four times. Thompson is the oldest player – male or female – to take a maiden five-wicket haul in Test matches at 39 years and 175 days of age.

Her final Test match in 1985, the fifth and deciding Test match of the 1984-85 Women's Ashes series played in Bendigo, saw her lead the Australians to reclaim the Women' Ashes trophy after a 30-year hiatus.

Thompson took 57 Test wickets at an average of 18.24 and 24 One-Day International wickets at 18.66.

Thompson also represented Victoria on 45 occasions before serving as a selector for many years. She has continued mentoring future generations of female cricketers at her home club, Essendon Maribyrnong Park Ladies Cricket Club and accepted Life Membership from Cricket Victoria in 2018.

"Justin and Raelee are extremely deserving inductees and it is wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate the immense achievements and contributions of these legends of our game," said CA CEO Nick Hockley

Northern Golf Club congratulates Raelee on her magnificent achievement.