Cornish's dedication leads to recognition

Already made a life member of the NSW Women's Cricket Association in 1994, this is

further recognition for Cornish who is one of only 11 women cricketers inducted with

the men since the two boards integrated on July 14 2003.

Michelle Slacksmith, an executive of NSW Women's Cricket, paid tribute to the former NSW captain, referring to her as a "real champion of women's cricket."

"She's one of the most

dedicated people to cricket in country areas," Slacksmith said.

"She encourages girls into cricket and helps them develop through the different levels."

So valuable has her contribution to local cricket been that Wellington sporting identity Bryan Johnson believes that: "Wellington cricket might not have survived a couple of times without her."

Before she left Wellington to begin her illustrious career, Cornish was the first female to play in the Wellington competition.

"We had to go and get permission from the association so she could play," Johnson said.

Her decision to play with the men changed Wellington cricket, with many girls still playing in the competition today.

At the tender age of 15 Cornish was selected in the NSW under-25 side against the touring New Zealand side and by the age of 19 was playing for the Australian side.

"She's the best gully fielder I've ever seen," Johnson said at the time, but in fact she was selected because of her off-spin bowling.

"Not many people know that Marie actually bowled 60 overs for only 66 runs in a Test match and played in front of a crowd of 80,000 in India."

Johnson said Cornish's achievement of playing at such a young age was a great achievement.

"She had to move away from her mum and dad and do it on her own, out of her environment," he said

During her career Cornish also toured the West Indies and England, and played in the 1978 World Cup.

Cornish is grateful for these experiences.

"As a country girl I would not have had the opportunity to see the world if it hadn't been for sport," she said.

"People ask me which was the best tour and I tell them all of them."

Just last year Cornish was awarded one of the most treasured items in Australian sport, the baggy green.

The NSW schools knockout competition, The Marie Cornish Trophy, is also named after her.

Wellington High School has won this trophy seven times.

Cornish makes a concerted effort to get down to the Marie Cornish Trophy games and meet the girls from other schools.

She is the vice-president of junior cricket in Wellington and has been involved with coaching the Country girl's side.