North Shore cricketer Tahlia Denham picked for Victoria at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships

After holding her own against the men in GCA4 this summer, a young hearing-impaired cricketer will represent the state at the annual national disability championships in Brisbane.

SEDA leaders Taiya Morrow, Ruby Cunningham, Daniel Lenehan and Bodie Bruns, Tahlia Denham and Teal Kiddier. Picture: Alison Wynd

After producing a player of the match performance against the men last month, a hearing-impaired Curlewis cricketer will arrive in Queensland for the annual disability national championships later this month in good form.

North Shore all-rounder Tahlia Denham has been selected in the 12-member Victorian squad for the National Cricket Inclusion Championships (January 20-25) in Brisbane.

Although it came as a bit of a shock at first.

“The responsibility of being vice-captain, it was pure stress when I found out but I’m now keen and know that I wouldn’t be picked if I wasn’t capable,” Denham said.

She has made a vow to give the ball “beans if it’s in my area of play” and to not hesitate after committing to a stroke.

Tahlia Denham has carved out a cricket career despite the loss of hearing in both ears. Picture: Tahlia Denham.

It caps off a great finish to 2023, with Denham playing several games against the men in GCA4 second grade and more than holding her own.

Denham was named player of the match against Newcomb & District on December 16 at Grinter Reserve, with a tidy spell of 2-24 from six overs while chipping in with seven runs batting at number six, in a vigil which lasted longer than an hour.

Denham also achieved a major individual milestone this summer, compiling her inaugural 50 in women’s cricket with Pascoe Vale — a memory she recalls as being “quite funny”.

“I was told by the umpire to retire, I was confused and kinda angry at the time as I knew I was batting well in this particular match,” she said.

“It was only until my batting partner Jac dropped her bat and started clapping is when I realised: ‘Oh beep I’ve actually done it, I’ve finally done it’.

SEDA leaders Daniel Lenehan and Bodie Bruns with Tahlia Denham and Teal Kiddier. Picture: Alison Wynd

“I finally realised, turned into a bird, arms wide open running straight towards Jac and nearly toppled her in nothing but pure joy.”

North Shore coach Ron Stoop said Denham was a hard worker at training, particularly on her defence.

“Tahlia has fit right in,” Stoop said.

“She gets along well with the other players, and matches it with the men extremely well.

“We are very glad she came to North Shore and hope for many more seasons with her.”

Denham, a former SEDA College student, has also previously played for Pomborneit, represented Colac at an under-18 level in early 2023 and has joined Alexander Thomson CC recently.

However, playing for the state is one of the biggest opportunities of Denham’s career so far, after travelling north to take part in the Junior Strike League in Darwin mid-year.

Geelong hosted the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in January, 2018, which brings together the country’s most talented cricketers together with a disability, including blind and low vision, deaf and hard of hearing and competitors with an intellectual disability.

Originally published as North Shore cricketer Tahlia Denham picked for Victoria at the National Cricket Inclusion Championships