Cricketer Mahli Rea stars for Central Infernos, earning Qld under-16 selection

Teenager Mahli Rea is turning plenty of heads as she continues her rise through the cricket ranks. Read about her journey here.

Gladstone cricketer Mahli Rea will represent Queensland at the national under-16 championships starting in Canberra this week.

Mahli Rea is notching up accolades almost as quickly as she is taking wickets and scoring runs.

The Gladstone all-rounder has just returned from captaining the Central Infernos at the Queensland Cricket Under-15 State Challenge.

She stamped her authority on the event, going on to be named Player of the Tournament and included in the Team of the Tournament.

She also received the award for Best Batter after she accumulated 208 runs, a highlight of which was her 82 runs off 99 balls against the Northern Flames.

Her right-arm pace also troubled opposition teams, with her best bowling figures 3/13 from 4.2 overs against the Western Swelter.

Mahli Rea was named Best Batter at the Queensland Cricket Under-15 State Challenge.after scoring 208 runs for the Central Infernos.

Courtesy of that success, Mahli was named in the Queensland under-16 team to contest the Australian championships starting in Canberra on Thursday.

The 14 year old is excited for her Queensland debut and is looking to carry her impressive form into the national arena.

“I started playing cricket because my brother started playing when we were younger. I’ve just continued with it and loved it,” she said.

“I like being competitive, playing with friends and meeting new people.”

Mahli was always an all-rounder but has been concentrating on her batting lately, which is clearly reaping rewards.

Gladstone cricketer Mahli Rea pictured with Queensland Fire player Haidee Birkett.

She impressed with the willow representing Central Queensland at the inaugural North Queensland Alliance under-15 girls championships in October, where she was again the Player of the Carnival.

In the same month and after starring for Capricornia, she was selected in the Queensland under-15 schoolgirls team.

Gladstone-born, Mahli started cricket at age seven in Tom Price, Western Australia.

When her family returned to Central Queensland in 2018, she joined BITS Cricket Club, where she is now part of the under-17 team.

She also plays senior cricket with the Sunshine Coast Scorchers in the state’s premier women’s competition, the Katherine Raymont Shield.

Central Infernos' skipper Mahli Rea in action at the Queensland Cricket Under-15 State Challenge.

Mahli regularly opens the bowling for the Scorchers and in a recent game, took 5/27 from nine overs.

Dad Brendan said it was wonderful to see Mahli succeeding at something she is so passionate about.

He said she was driven and determined, and would love to follow in the footsteps of her idol, Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath.

Brendan is heading to Canberra to watch Mahli at the nationals, and it’s fair to say he’s as excited as his daughter.

“This has ticked off one of the goals she’s been aiming for over the last four years,” he said.

“You’ve got to watch that; you don’t get these opportunities too often so I’m really looking forward to it.”