Not content with terrorising batsmen the world over for her 16 years as the world's fastest bowler, Cathryn Fitzpatrick then moved into coaching, taking the acting head coach role with Australia in May 2007 just two months after retiring from international cricket.

Her electric pace - she had been clocked at 75mph - was instrumental in twice helping to lift Australia to World Cup victory, in 1997 and again in 2005 in South Africa, this time aged 37. She generated amazing speed from a deceptively small frame, with a solid technique echoing that of Glenn McGrath, a fellow tall, blond, slender Australian.

She had a frighteningly low economy rate of 1.91 in Tests and 3.01 in one-dayers, but what was hardly surprising was when she became the first female bowler to take 150 one-day wickets, in June 2005, against Ireland.

She has also achieved another rare milestone in the women's game - 100 one-day appearances - which she brought up against New Zealand in the Rose Bowl series in October 2006. That month she was shortlisted for the inaugural ICC Female Player of the Year award, with the honour going to fellow Australian Karen Rolton.

Away from cricket, she likes Little Britain, and supports the Kangaroos in the AFL. And she has worked as a postwoman when she's not playing - cue jokes about fast, accurate deliveries.
Jenny Thompson May 2007