4th Sides appearance pleases Pavlov
Jones and Clarke the cream for Christina. Despite her vast experience, Christina Pavlov still relishes the tough challenge of the Australian Sides Championship.
2014 will be her fourth appearance in a tournament which comprises all the Australian states and territories, and kicks off with the Super 6’s on 28th March in South Burnie, Tasmania.
“No matter how many championships you’ve played in there’s always the adrenaline rush before you go out there,” said the 2011 Super 6 pairs gold medal winner.
“The excitement builds within the team and everybody wants to go out and do their best.”
This year Pavlov is not in the Super 6 team, but plays second in an outfit skipped by Pamela Rowe.
“The girls I’ll be playing with I regard as quite an awesome talent. I’m excited about being part of that team,” says Pavlov, of a side fielding Roseanne Lovelock at third.
Leading, is rising star Natasha Jones.
“Natasha has had an outstanding 12 months,” says Pavlov, who is backing the young Queenslander to continue her skyward trajectory.
“She won the silver in the triples last year and I have every confidence she’ll do extremely well in the Super 6 singles.”
Jones is also up for the Australian under 18 Bowler of the year at the Bowls Australia national awards, with the winners announced during the Championships.
After securing Super 6 glory in 2011, Pavlov and Clarke then won bronze in 2012.
Come 2013, Kristy Thatcher partnered Clarke, creating a duo Pavlov rates highly.
“It’s a great pairing. They won the gold medal in the Super 6 last year,” says Pavlov proudly.
For players taking part in both the Super 6 and the Australian Sides, it can be a physically and mentally draining four days of competition.
But Pavlov feels it should hold no fear for internationals like Clarke.
“Performance-wise, she has the ability to play well over a number of days. Fitness isn’t a question for Lynsey, she’s just such a champion.”
Even with in-form players like Clarke, Jones and Thatcher on the Queensland team, Pavlov still feels NSW are the side to watch during the battle in Burnie.
“They won it last year with a strong combination of players. They have many Australian team members aiming for Glasgow. It’s a star-studded side.”
Eager to put the disappointment of the NSW test disappointment behind them, Queensland women will be in no mood to taste defeat again. They’ll be packing a punch in their baggage for Burnie.
