Australian Cricketer Nicole Bolton Recalls Brutal Comparison to Mithali Raj

Nicole Bolton, former Australian cricketer, recently shared a candid account of how a harsh comparison by her former coach Cathryn Fitzpatrick left her feeling uncertain about her future in cricket. Bolton revealed that Fitzpatrick, a legendary Australian bowler, once questioned her about her performance by comparing her to Indian cricket icon Mithali Raj.

In an episode of the Stories After Stumps podcast, Bolton recounted Fitzpatrick’s critical assessment. The coach questioned whether Bolton wanted to be the “Mithali Raj of the Australian team,” referring to Raj’s slower strike rate of 50. Fitzpatrick suggested that if Bolton continued with such a style, her career might be “short-lived.”

Bolton, who had recently transitioned from Western Australia to Victoria, was initially disheartened by the comparison. However, the feedback sparked a dramatic improvement in her performance. In her subsequent match, she scored 170 off 156 balls, demonstrating a more aggressive approach.

The comparison has prompted discussions among fans, particularly in India, where Mithali Raj is celebrated as one of the greatest women cricketers with over 10,000 international runs and a record 155 ODI matches as captain.

Bolton, who played for Australia from 2014 to 2019, concluded her career with nearly 2000 runs. Despite the harsh feedback, Fitzpatrick’s influence helped Bolton refine her game and achieve notable successes on the field.