Lauren Cheatle puts health before cricket in $55,000 sacrifice

Four shoulder reconstructions, two cancer fights, and a five-figure loss - you’d forgive Lauren Cheatle for being be consumed by her own problems. But, as BEN HORNE writes, she’s found the way to keep life in perspective.

Lauren Cheatle was robbed of a $55,000 payday after having a second melanoma removed from her neck, but she has found the way to keep her issues in perspective. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Lauren Cheatle knows what setbacks are all about, but at a time when she could be consumed by her own problems, she’s found a way to care for others.

At just 25 years of age, and two years after having a skin cancer removed from her shin, Cheatle has recently had a second melanoma taken out of her neck.

It’s robbed her of the $55,000 she should be earning for three weeks’ work right now in the women’s Indian Premier League and her place in the Australian Test team.

On top of that, the young fast bowler has already undergone four shoulder reconstructions during a roller-coaster career which started when she made her Australian debut aged 16.

Still, Cheatle refuses to feel sorry for herself.

Lauren Cheatle has recently gone through her second episode of skin cancer. Picture: Tim Hunter.

The girl from Bowral dedicates all her time away from cricket to working for charity What Ability where she mentors people with disabilities.

Cheatle has had every reason to throw in the towel as a professional cricketer, but refuses, partly because she has gained perspective about what it really means to be dealt a tough hand.

“When you go out on a day with a teenager with autism I think it reminds you of how lucky we are to do what we do and what we find as challenges are really so little compared to what other people are facing,” Cheatle said.

“Getting into a car, needing three or four people to help you get dressed, can’t speak, not being able to communicate effectively, can’t go to school … things you feel like you take for granted.

Lauren Cheatle played for the Sixers in the WBBL last season. Picture: Getty Images

“When I get told I can’t play cricket for six months, the reality is it’s not too bad.

“My approach and my recovery or how I feel about situations has changed drastically since working at What Ability. I can only thank them for that and I know I work for them, but they do so much for me.”

Still, Cheatle has been through a wave of emotions over the summer.

On December 21, she was picked to play her first ever Test for Australia – a seismic achievement given it had been five years, a cancer battle and multiple reconstructions, since her previous international game.

She returned home from India on the high of being a Test representative on December 31, and straight into a routine skin care check where she was told she had a melanoma in her neck.

Lauren Cheatle during a training session with the national team in December, 2023. Picture: X / @AusWomenCricket

Lauren Cheatle dedicates her time away from cricket to work with charities. Picture: Tim Hunter.

By mid-January, Cheatle was going under the knife, putting her out of contention for the women’s Test against South Africa last month and this month’s lucrative WPL – and it will still be another few months’ until she’s allowed to train again.

The anxiousness Cheatle admits tends to take over when she fronts for a skin examination came on again on Friday, when Cricket NSW offered free skin and eye checks for its entire male and female player cohort.

Lauren Cheatle gets her eyes tested along with her teammates at at Cricket NSW. Picture: Tim Hunter.

It was at one of these routine checks that her first melanoma was discovered two years ago, and Cheatle has a message for all cricketers and indeed all Australians – go and get checked.

“It’s probably not something you go out of your way to do once or twice a year but in a sport like cricket it’s so important,” Cheatle said.

“We’re out in the sun most days and probably more at risk than the average 9-5 office job.

“Back in 2022 I had melanoma in my shin which got picked up in one of these and then from there I’ve got to get my skin checked every six months.

“I can’t stress how key these examinations are for early diagnosis and early intervention. It makes the result vastly different to if you let it sit for a while.

“I definitely feel quite anxious when I come to things like this. It can be quite a draining process. It feels like you’re getting told the same news over and over again. Same with my shoulders.

“The positive spin on that is I’ve done it before, I know how to get through it and the processes of what that takes.”

Lauren Cheatle is driven to represent Australia again. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Both Cheatle’s parents were impacted by skin cancer at a young age and she knows her predisposition is a burden she must carry.

But Cheatle is determined to get back off the canvas and play for Australia again.

“I’d love to. I’d be lying to say I didn’t want to. But at the same time I’m well aware of the process it takes to get back there,” Cheatle said.

“Having a pre-season is going to be the most important part. I haven’t had one in 10 years of being contracted by the NSW Breakers, through school or injury.

“So to build a base with a really good pre-season and time on the park is my main goal and if Australian selection follows, that that would be great.”