Fullston was the 98th woman to play cricket for Australia and made her international debut against India in 1982 in the opening match of that year’s World Cup.
A slow left-arm orthodox spinner, Fullston’s international career spanned almost seven years and included 41 one-dayers and 12 Tests. Her international career and began and ended with World Cup victories in 1982 and 1988 respectively, and on both occasions she led the bowling aggregates for the tournament.
At her retirement, Fullston was the only Australian female cricketer to have taken 100 international wickets and she remains the leading wicket-taker in women’s World Cup history.
CA Chairman Creagh O’Connor paid tribute to Fullston and her role in the development of women’s cricket in Australia.
“Lyn Fullston was a distinguished international cricketer. She was also an excellent ambassador for women’s cricket and for women’s sport in general, from a community level up to international representation,” he said.
“It is tragic that she died far too early and on behalf of everyone here at CA, I offer her family and friends our condolences.”
Fullston was an exceptional all-round sportswoman and also represented Australia at netball as well as being a top-class tennis player. After only taking up cricket in 1977, she first represented South Australia in 1979 and enjoyed a 15-year, 123-match career at first-class level.
She claimed 73 one-day international and 41 Test wickets and twice took five wickets in an ODI innings with best figures of 5-27. A handy lower order batter, Fullston averaged 31.67 in Test cricket with a top score of 41 not out against England in 1987.
