Teenager Hayley Silver-Holmes taking rapid rise in her stride

Sydney Sixers teenager Hayley Silver-Holmes barely has time to register her first Big Bash final is looming with a schedule that is jam-packed with cricket.

Hayley Silver-Holmes has had an incredible summer of cricket. Pic: AAP

HAYLEY Silver-Holmes has been getting her sleep lately, wherever she can — often on a plane.

As well as jetting about with the Sydney Sixers for their Big Bash matches, which have included trips to Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide in the new year, the 15-year-old has been travelling to Victoria for the under-18 national championships for the past week.

It’s a very different way to how the average teenager would be spending their school holidays, but when a career in cricket is your goal, you do whatever it takes.

15-year-old Hayley Silver-Holmes will play in the WBBL final this Saturday. Pic: AAP

MORE WBBL

READY: Practice makes perfect end for Sixers

KINDNESS: Message behind WBBL finals

“It’s a lot of travelling but my school is really good, I go to The Hills Sports High School,” Silver-Holmes said.

“All the work that dad’s put in to me with the hard yards with training and driving me into the SCG and all the little things that he does for me, I really appreciate it.

“It’s a lot of sleeping on planes. It’s full on but it’s what I love doing so I just keep doing what I have to do.”

There is no reprieve before this weekend’s WBBL final against Brisbane Heat.

Silver-Holmes has taken three wickets this season. Pic: AAP

Playing for NSW Metro in the nationals, Silver-Holmes will fly to Melbourne today for the final round of the Championships to be played on Thursday.

Then it’s straight back to Big Bash business.

Silver-Holmes picked up a contract when Sixers coach Ben Sawyer noticed her enthusiasm and drive on a tour with the Australian under-19s early in 2018.

Sawyer offered her contract on return — plucking her out of Sydney Thunder territory in doing so — with the goal of her developing her game. She has since taken the field in 13 matches this season and will likely do so again on Saturday morning at Drummoyne Oval as the Sixers go after a three-peat of WBBL titles.

She has played 13 matches for the Sixers, and likely the final too. Pic: Getty Images

There aren’t many nerves ahead of the decider though, the thrilling super over semi-final win at the weekend meaning Silver-Holmes has experienced just about all you can in a game of Big Bash cricket.

“It was unreal. It was a great experience to be out there. It was a great semi-final to be in,” she said.

“It’s just sunk in what actually happened from that day.

“It’s going to be a big week coming into the final. It’s very exciting playing my first year of Big Bash and being able to be successful going into the final.”

Originally published as Teenager Hayley Silver-Holmes taking rapid rise in her stride