Sydney Sixers recruit Emma Hughes in for the long haul in WBBL
The Sydney Sixers have added their fourth teenager to their WBBL squad for the upcoming season and while young, Emma Hughes is a seasoned traveller.
Two games of cricket each weekend around 350km apart and involving more than 10 hours of travelling has paid off for schoolgirl cricketer Emma Hughes.
The Dubbo based, Penrith cricket club fast bowler is the latest signing for the Sydney Sixers ahead of the WBBL opening weekend at North Sydney Oval from October 18-20.
But for at least a few more weeks Hughes will be juggling both her school commitments in Dubbo with training sessions in Sydney as she prepares to sit her Highter School Certificate.
Hughes’ first exam is the week after the WBBL opener and once she completes her schooling the teenager will base herself in Sydney from November 5.
But the travel doesn’t faze the 18-year-old who regularly spends 10 plus hours every weekend in the car during the cricket season travelling from her Saturday game in Dubbo to her Penrith clubs game in Sydney on Sunday.
“It takes me about five and a half hours each way depending on the traffic but I don’t mind. I love my cricket,’’ Hughes said.
Hughes is one of four teenagers signed to the Sixers, who last year lost the season decider to Brisbane Heat by three wickets in the January 26 final at Drummoyne Ovals.
“When I got the call at school it was the greatest day ever,’’ Hughes said.
“It’s so exciting just to be near people I have grown up admiring like Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy.
“I met them a couple of times when I was playing in City v Country games and an inter squad match in 2016. I spoke to them a couple of times on the field but didn’t have the nerve to talk to them really.
“They were very nice though.’’
Hughes said following Perry’s journey from cross code athlete to one of the greatest players in the game had inspired her to forge ahead with her own career.
“As a kid I knew Ellyse played soccer and cricket and I was a massive fan of her doing both,’’ she said.
“It really inspired me. Just seeing there was a pathway into sport was a great thing for a kid like me to see.’’
The first stand-alone season of the WBBL kicks off with a blockbuster Sydney Smash under lights at North Sydney Oval on October 18.
The Sixers first up opponent is Sydney Thunder on October 18 at 7.40pm and then Brisbane Heat on October 19.
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