Wondai’s Isabella Eisenmenger wins Girls National Cricket competition in Victoria

A 12-year-old Wondai cricket player reveals the challenges she faced in Ballarat before striking gold and defying the odds at the national competition.

Isabella competed against the nations best 11-12 year old cricket players from November 19-26 in Ballarat.

A naturally-gifted junior cricket player has returned home to Wondai from the Girls National Cricket Exchange with a gold Queensland medal and the best bowling average.

Isabella Eisenmenger competed against the nation’s best players over November 19 to 26 in Ballarat, where she faced an injury and challenging weather conditions in her first time leaving Queensland.

The 12-year-old has never played for a cricket club and instead has relied on her father teaching her batting, bowling and fielding.

Isabella attended an intensive training session in Ipswich from November 16-18 to meet the other girls in her team prior to travelling to Ballarat.

The Queensland girls were undefeated before the third day of the competition when they were beaten by the New South Wales team.

Isabella said Ballarat was freezing with 40 km/h westerly winds, which she knew would affect her playing.

“On the second day we played in extreme weather conditions,” she said.

“One of the mornings we couldn't get out of the car because it was freezing and the wind was rocking our car.

“My first few bowls were blowing away so I decided to bowl wider to use the wind to my advantage.

“It worked and it hit the wicket.”

The Queensland girls were undefeated before the third day of the competition when they were beaten by the New South Wales team.

Mum Maria Eisenmenger said Isabella’s team won a game against ACT and the final was between Queensland and New South Wales.

Isabella bowled the competitions best average of 2.86.

“It was basically cricket State of Origin,” Mrs Eisenmenger said.

“It was a great final and Queensland won by a significant 72 runs.

“She suffered a shin splint two days before the competition ended and were all concerned but she ended up finishing with the winning team and the competition’s best bowling average of 2.86.

“Watching the game was like watching little professionals, we are so proud.”

Isabella will join the Gympie Cricket Club next year to continue her cricket journey.