Some follow their cricketing men around the world, watching every play from the stands. Others keep the home fires burning during those long, gruelling months on tour.
But on Allan Border Medal night, it's time for the wives and girlfriends of Australia's cricket heroes to shine.
While red was the hue of choice for the fashionistas on the Academy Awards red carpet yesterday, some of Australia's cricketing lasses took the "time to shine" idea literally.
Model Lara Bingle led the glittering brigade in a full-length backless gold Lisa Ho evening gown with her partner, all-rounder Michael Clarke, wearing a matching gold tie with his charcoal suit.
One of the few non-blondes to walk the red carpet, Jessica Bratich, posed for pictures with her husband, bowler Mitchell Johnson, in a figure-hugging silver evening dress.
On the arm of her wicketkeeper husband Adam, Mel Gilchrist also shimmered in a knee-length gold frock with a lacy sash forming a single shoulder strap.
Kellie Hayden, the wife of veteran opener and Allan Border medal favourite Matthew Hayden, bucked sports awards red carpet tradition with an intricately patterned flamenco-style dress that seemed to promise a night of partying ahead.
Liz Lee, the wife of bowler and fellow medal frontrunner Brett Lee, also chose an eclectic style - a white, orange and mauve print dress with barely-there spaghetti straps.
Haley Bracken set herself apart from the crowd on the arm of her bowler husband Nathan Bracken with a flowing gown of aqua and pastel yellow and pink.
Bowler Stuart Clark's wife Michelle's dark, shiny, flowing gown made black look anything but basic.
Australian women's cricket captain Karen Rolton made a fashion statement for sporting women with a knee-length purple dress teamed with strappy silver heels and a matching clutch purse.
Rianna Ponting, the wife of Rolton's male counterpart Ricky, also chose purple, but in a loose-fitting, full length design.
In case you are interested, Brett Lee, Rick Ponting and Matthew Hayden are frontrunners for the award.
LIVENEWS.com.au will provide results of the major winners soon.