Born on December 15th 1946, in Carlton, Victoria former Australia ODI cricketer, Val Farrell is unique in that she has played for two different international teams.
In a career that began for Victoria in 1970/71 in First Class cricket, it is in the one-day game where Val attracted the eyes of selectors when Victoria played in the one day format in 1972/73.
With only five games under her belt all of a sudden the young Victorian found herself going to the World Cup in July. But Val would not be playing for Australia. Instead she was selected in the International XI, a team put together in the absence of India and South Africa, neither of whom would play. The International XI was captained by Audrey Disbury, an England player and was comprised of promising Australians, New Zealanders and other players from around the Commonwealth.
In her debut match for the team, Val scored 52 not out. She played one more match for this team – against Australia! – however the match was washed out.
The next time Val would see international cricket was in the next World Cup, in India 1977/78, this time playing for Australia and ultimately part of the team that won the title under Marg Jennings. A career that spanned two teams across two World Cups.