As the debate for and against legalising same-sex marriage rages in the Riverina, one of the region’s greatest sporting exports is set to marry her partner.
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Alex Blackwell, the national cricket team's vice-captain, will marry her partner Lynsey Askew – an English cricketer – in England after the women's Ashes series.
Blackwell is regarded as one of the world's best female cricketers. Her willingness to speak out on issues such as homophobia in sport, has earned her widespread respect among her teammates, Cricket Australia and the community.
She and Askew, who have been in a relationship for seven years, will marry in front of their families and friends on September 3, three days after the last game of the Ashes series.
"We're really excited about the future," she said.
"For Lynsey and I to make this commitment is special, and while no one knows what the future holds, to have that strong foundation [of marriage] will only allow for our relationship to blossom even further."
Askew, 28, represented England in eight matches between 2006-08. Blackwell thanked her for her love and support when she was named the NSW female cricketer of the year last April, but the 31-year-old expressed regret that it was illegal for same-sex couples to get married in Australia.
"It disappoints me that it's not a reality for us in Australia, but things are moving very quickly, and hopefully by the time we get home it's recognised," Blackwell said from England.
Liberal MP Warren Entsch plans to introduce a private member's bill allowing same-sex marriage to Parliament in August. Labor's Terri Butler will second it.
Blackwell said recognition for same-sex marriages in Australia would bring to an end many people feeling as though they were not considered equal members of society.
"It's something I've thought about as an issue for many, many years," she said.
"Even as a young person, when I didn't believe marriage was important to me... what I did know as a young person was marriage inequality sent a message that you're not quite good enough, you're not quite equal to others.”