LISA Maurice is back on the field playing the game she loves.
The Hurstville woman made a triumphant return to St George-Sutherland Women's Cricket Club — known as the Slayers — after a two-year absence.
She took 3-1 for the Slayers' third grade team in a recent game against Universities Blue at Gifford Park, Penshurst.
"I missed two years with a back injury and because of work commitments," Maurice, 27, said.
She lives a few hundred metres from Hurstville Oval and started playing cricket when she was seven.
For many years, the medium-fast bowler with a lethal outswinger played in boys' teams. Then when girls and women's cricket flourished she played in those teams.
"I played representative cricket with St George under-14s girls' teams when I was 12," Maurice said.
The former primary school teacher now works as an intern in game development at Cricket NSW.
"I love the role working with Cricket NSW and in the development and engagement of the women's game," she said. "It's good to be back playing again."
In the 2007-08 season, Maurice topped the Sydney Women's Cricket Association third grade batting aggregate.
Though primarily a bowler, the right-hander made several unbeaten half centuries with the bat that season.
Since then Maurice has played second grade and opened the bowling.
The talented cricketer has filled in many times in first grade before injury and was a consistent second grader, finishing in runs and wickets records.
Maurice said she felt right back at home, even though she has been away for two seasons.
"There is a great team spirit and a camaraderie at the Slayers," she said.
"It was like I had never been away when I played third grade last week," she said.
Maurice has also been a consistent player in the St George District Netball Association for many years.
She played in the same team as her mother Helen that won the recent summer night competition.
Maurice's sister Megan, 30, is also a talented club and representative level netballer.
Will the Slayers' success continue?
