Claire McGuirk had a thoroughly productive time as an opening batter for the NSW Country Bush Breakers in their march to the finals at this year’s Australian Country Cricket Championships.
The Gunnedah product regularly faced the first ball for the NSW Country women’s team, as she played in 10 of the team’s 11 fixtures in the Barossa Valley from January 4 to 10.
The Bush Breakers had eight wins and three defeats, having twice lost to Victoria Country before losing a semi-final to Queensland Country which subsequently went down to the Victorians in the decider.
Claire said “it was a really good week”, and that the Bush Breakers received compliments from opponents regarding the way they gelled and played as a team.
“I think all of the girls got on really well,” she said.
“We bonded really well, on and off the field.
“On the rest day we went to Adelaide Zoo.”
Claire said the Barossa Valley region was scenic as there were a lot of vineyards, while the playing ovals were in immaculate condition.
“The days were 30 degrees, except for one cool day when it was 15 degrees in the morning when we played,” she said.
Claire said she learned to be patient, and felt the mental side of her game improved as she “loved opening the batting and giving it a crack”.
“I learned to play my own game, and play to my strengths,” she said.
“I was enjoying myself, and that’s when I play my best cricket, when I enjoy what I do.”
After starting with a score of eight in a 26-run victory against Queensland Country, Claire had her best outing of the championships later on day one.
After Western Australia Country was restricted to 9-83 in its 20 overs, Claire levelled the scores with her sixth boundary and then hit the winning single to finish with 42 not out from 36 balls in a six-wicket win with 10.4 overs remaining.
The following day, Claire’s 30 off 27 balls gave NSW Country a strong start to its run chase in reply to South Australia Country’s 4-118.
Claire’s dismissal left the Bush Breakers 1-55 in the ninth over, before they won by five wickets with nine balls to spare.
While Claire scored 16 against Victoria Country, the top score was 17 in a total of 7-88 before the eventual titleholders spluttered to a four-wicket triumph.
Claire wasn’t required with the willow as the batting order was reshuffled against East Asia-Pacific, which contained the Bush Breakers to 6-97 before the NSW team won by 43 runs.
Claire delivered her only over of the championships in this match, and conceded seven runs before her final delivery rattled the top of the off-stump.
Although the Gunnedah product didn’t score many runs in her next three outings, the Bush Breakers maintained their winning form as they batted first each time. They beat the Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia Country teams for a second time, only for the Victorian team to intervene again.
Claire top-scored with 34 after hitting the second delivery for four, but the total of 4-94 wasn’t enough as former Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) player Makinley Blows guided the Victorians to an eight-wicket win.
Claire didn’t play in the second encounter with East-Asia Pacific, with NSW Country winning by eight wickets.
Although the Bush Breakers had defeated Queensland Country twice, Claire said the semi-final was “just one of those days” when things didn’t go right.
Claire scored a quickfire 10, but the Bush Breakers succumbed for 84 on their way to a seven-wicket defeat.
Later that day, Queensland Country tallied just 50 when chasing 110 to win the title.
Claire is ready to turn her attention back to first grade Sydney premier cricket with Northern Districts this Sunday, before continuing her exercise and sports science degree at Macquarie University.

Claire McGuirk (front row second from left) with her NSW Country Bush Breakers teammates at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in the Barossa Valley.