LIVESTREAM CRICKET: WBBL Heat inspires next generation ahead of under 15 female state championship

The WBBL Brisbane Heat women have inspired female cricket’s next generation, including players involved in the under 15 state championships to be livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News affiliates from Monday.

The WBBL Brisbane Heat women have inspired female cricket’s next generation, including players involved in the under 15 state championships to be livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News affiliates from Monday.

The best young female cricketers from around the state will converge on Redlands Cricket Club, Wellington Point, from Monday until Thursday.

Six teams - the Southern Blaze, Western Swelter, City Fever, Coast Burners, Central Infernos and Northern Flames - will compete, giving players the width and breadth of the state a chance to impress.

The first four rounds are T20 games games, with each side playing two games each day starting at 9am and 2pm. Round five will then be a one day game (40 overs) starting at 9am.

The www.couriermail.com.au will be livestreaming from one of the fields across the four days.

Three players inspired by the deeds of the WBBL Heat over the last three seasons were Lucy Bourke, Allegra Pollack and all-rounder Amreen Kahlon.

Amreen with City Fever teammate Lucy Bourke

Asked if the Heat’s stunning surge across the WBBL over the last three seasons had inspired her and her peers, Pollack said: “I really think so, they’re such a big inspiration as there are girls who are just finishing high school and who are a part of the squad at such a young age.

“That then leads to us knowing that if we put in enough hard work we can also achieve at high levels,’’ the Clayfield College student said.

“These same girls are also playing in the Queensland premier cricket sides and are scoring quite highly.

“Take Georgia Voll just last weekend, scoring 103 in the first T20 and 125 in the second game.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in the first grade competition recently and gain some more experience and knowledge of the game.’’

Georgia Voll on the attack for the Heat. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Bourke agreed. “I definitely feel inspired to play by great players from the positive example that they set,’’ the St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School student said.

“It is such a great opportunity to play with and against some of the girls in Brisbane First grade.

“I have learnt a lot from them. You can tell from their skill level the dedication that they must have to training.’’

Amreen Kahlon added: “Since the introduction of WBBL, the number of girls playing cricket has significantly increased which has made the game more enjoyable and given me more opportunities to play at a competitive level and increase my skills.

“Even more exciting has been the success of my hometown team, the Brisbane Heat.

“Their successes have inspired me to continue playing in hopes to one day reach this level of representation and be a role-model for the next round of incoming players.’’

Schedule.

Monday, 9am

Field 1: Coastal Burners v Western Swelter

Field 2: Central Infernos v City Fever

Field 3: Southern Blaze v Northern Flames

Monday 2pm

Field 1: Southern Blaze v Central Infernos

Field 2: Northern Flames v Coastal Burners

Field 3: City Fever v Western Swelter

Tuesday, 9am

Field 1: City Fever v Coastal Burners

Field 2: Western Swelter v Southern Blaze

Field 3: Central Inferno v Northern Flames

Tuesday, 2pm

Field 1: City Fever v Northern Flames

Field 2: Western Swelter v Central Infernos

Field 3: Coastal Burners v Southern Blaze

Wednesday 9am (40 overs)

Field 1: Northern Flames v Western Swelter

Field 2: Southern Blaze v City Fever

Field 3: Central Infernos v Coastal Burners

Thursday 9am

Finals (TBA)