About
Biography
Janice Stead (born November 1, 1939) is a former New Zealand cricketer who played as a right-handed batter and occasional right-arm medium-fast bowler. She made her debut for the national team during the 1960-61 season and went on to represent New Zealand in 15 One Day Internationals (ODIs) between 1973 and 1979. Stead was part of the New Zealand squad that participated in the inaugural women's World Cup in 1973, where she contributed significantly to the team’s performance.
Throughout her international career, Stead exhibited consistent batting prowess, frequently playing pivotal roles in crucial matches. Her career-best performance came in 1974 when she scored 68 runs against England in a memorable ODI. Stead’s exceptional skills on the field earned her recognition as one of the leading players during her era, helping to elevate the status of women's cricket in New Zealand.
After retiring from competitive cricket, Janice Stead remained involved in the sport as a coach and mentor, nurturing young talent and promoting women's participation in cricket. Her contributions have had a lasting impact on the development of women's cricket in New Zealand, and she is remembered as a pioneering athlete who helped pave the way for future generations of cricketers.