Raelee Thompson

Raelee Thompson (born 3 August 1945) is an Australian former cricketer who played as a right-arm medium bowler. She appeared in 16 Test matches and 23 One Day Internationals for Australia between 1972 and 1985. She captained Australia during their 1984–85 series against England. She played domestic cricket for Victoria.^[1][2]

Key Information

Personal information
Full name	Raelee Helen Thompson
Born	(1945-08-03) 3 August 1945 (age 80) Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
Batting	Right-handed
Bowling	Right-arm medium
Role	Bowler
International information
National side	Australia (1972–1985)
Test debut (cap 75)	5 February 1972 v New Zealand
Last Test	25 January 1985 v England
ODI debut (cap 12)	30 June 1973 v Trinidad and Tobago
Last ODI	3 February 1985 v England
Domestic team information
Years	Team
1969/70–1986/87	Victoria
Career statistics
Competition WTest WODI WFC WLA Matches 16 23 66 47 Runs scored 162 207 537 339 Batting average 11.57 25.87 14.13 22.60 100s/50s 0/0 0/1 0/0 0/1 Top score 25 50* 43* 50* Balls bowled 4,304 1,368 11,145 2,803 Wickets 57 24 213 67 Bowling average 18.24 18.66 11.84 13.76 5 wickets in innings 1 0 12 2 10 wickets in match 0 0 1 0 Best bowling 5/33 3/16 8/31 6/22 Catches/stumpings 12/– 6/– 31/– 11/–
Competition	WTest	WODI	WFC	WLA
Matches	16	23	66	47
Runs scored	162	207	537	339
Batting average	11.57	25.87	14.13	22.60
100s/50s	0/0	0/1	0/0	0/1
Top score	25	50*	43*	50*
Balls bowled	4,304	1,368	11,145	2,803
Wickets	57	24	213	67
Bowling average	18.24	18.66	11.84	13.76
5 wickets in innings	1	0	12	2
10 wickets in match	0	0	1	0
Best bowling	5/33	3/16	8/31	6/22
Catches/stumpings	12/–	6/–	31/–	11/–
Source: CricketArchive, 13 November 2023
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Thompson became the oldest player in Test cricket to take a maiden five-wicket haul in 1985, doing so against England at 39 years and 175 days of age. During that same series, Thompson captained Australia to victory, reclaiming The Women's Ashes for the first time in 30 years.^[3]

She was awarded life membership of Cricket Victoria in 2018, and was inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame in 2022.^[4][5]