Emerald’s Bonnie Berry named in Brisbane Heat’s WBBL squad

Emerald schoolgirl Bonnie Berry has been named in the Heat’s WBBL squad for Friday night’s game against the Melbourne Stars. Read about her incredible rise here.

Central Queensland cricket star Bonnie Berry has been named in the Brisbane Heat squad for the team’s WBBL clash against the Melbourne Stars.

Emerald schoolgirl Bonnie Berry has taken a huge step forward in her cricketing career with a move into the Women’s Big Bash League arena.

The 17-year-old right-arm pace bowler was on Thursday confirmed by the WBBL technical committee as a local replacement player for leg-spinner Grace Parsons, who has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Under the competition rules, Berry had to be included in the Heat’s squad for Friday night’s game against the Melbourne Stars at Allan Border Field.

The Heat, under fellow Central Queenslander and captain Jess Jonassen, are sitting atop the WBBL ladder, having won their three opening games away from home.

The starting team for Friday’s game, which starts at 7.30pm, will be determined at the toss.

Bonnie was identified as a star of the future soon after she first started cricket at age eight alongside the boys in the Central Highlands Cricket under-11 competition.

Her mum Carmel had to sign a waiver to allow her to play at that age.

Bruce Deem from Queensland Cricket and Emerald Brothers' cricketer Bonnie Berry when she was selected for Queensland Cricket's 2019-20 Youth Pathway Academy squads.

It proved a prudent decision, as Bonnie has not looked back since those early days.

Rep honours quickly followed and at age 15, she represented the Queensland Country women’s team at the national championships in Albury.

Chris Mccullagh, her Emerald Brothers coach at the time, said Bonnie had a great work ethic, was very determined and always willing to put in the hard work to get to the next level.

That combination was paying huge dividends for Bonnie, who now plays her Premier Cricket for the Sunshine Coast in the Katherine Raymont Shield.

She regularly travels for training and playing opportunities to Brisbane while she completes her schooling in Emerald.

Bonnie has also been training with the Queensland Fire and was included in the contracted player list for the first time this season.

WBBL Brisbane Heat squad for Friday’s game: Jess Jonassen (captain), Bonnie Berry, Mignon Du Preez, Sarah Glenn, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Bess Heath, Mikayla Hinkley, Charli Knott, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippel, Georgia Voll.