Gold Coast cricket: The future of women’s cricket
They’re the fearsome five from the Gold Coast who are heading away to represent the Southern Blaze in the Queensland Cricket U15s State Championships.
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THEY’RE the fearsome five from the Gold Coast who are heading away to represent the Southern Blaze in the Queensland Cricket U15s State Championships.
Ella Fernleigh, Hailey Flynn, Steph Maxwell, Samantha Smithers and Neja Perera will show off their talents in six games at Redlands Cricket Club from Monday to Thursday this week as the Southern Blaze look to improve on their third-place finish in the event last season.
The Gold Coast make up five of the 12 members of the Southern Blaze side along with coach Melissa Lewis and Belinda McDougall, who are the Gold Coast Dolphins second grade captain and former first grade captain respectively.
Lewis said the five girls are “the future of women’s cricket on the Gold Coast”.
“They exemplify our core values of character, attitude and behaviour, and I can’t wait to have the best seat in the house when they take to the field,” she said.
“To be able to coach these players all the way through the girl’s cricket pathway is really exciting.
“To get them as young girls in junior cricket with no concept of how good they actually are and then to watch them come into their talent as young women and embrace all the opportunities that senior women’s cricket has to offer is truly fulfilling.”
GIRL GUNS
Ella Fernleigh – Gold Coast
Fernleigh is a promising all-rounder who’ll provide great leadership for the side.
With the ability to bowl right-arm medium pace and make runs in the middle order, it’ll be hard to keep Fernleigh out of the game.
Having played second grade cricket for the Dolphins for three years, the 14-year-old has a lot of experience and is considered a senior player among the playing group despite her young age.
Hailey Flynn – Palm Beach
Flynn is the dark horse of the competition and has gained praise from coach Melissa Lewis.
Coming in at the 11th hour as a replacement player, Flynn could be the surprise packet of the tournament.
In her first year of cricket, Flynn has shown her raw ability to bowl fast and make runs in the middle order.
Steph Maxwell – Gold Coast
A great all-round package, Maxwell will be seen at the top of the order more often than not.
Maxwell has impressed at club land for the Dolphins, having played the last two seasons in second grade and mixing it with the first grade side at training.
It’s not only her batting that will play a part in the championship, with Maxwell more than capable to take wickets with her leg-spin.
Neja Perera – Gold Coast
Another leg-spinner, Perera has been a big improver this season and will look to take her form into the championship.
A natural born leader, Perera captains the Gold Coast mini Fins U13s team and the Paul Pink U15s side.
Her talent with the ball and ability with the bat in the lower order gained Perera a second grade debut for the Dolphins this season.
Samantha Smithers – Runaway Bay
Whispers of Smithers pace have been spreading around the south of Queensland and this week the rest of Queensland will get to see the 13-year-olds pace.
Even her coach Lewis didn’t fancy facing the right-arm bowler in the nets at Dolphins training and said she doesn’t envy the girls facing her in the tournament.
A member of the Paul Pink U15 team, Smithers will likely make the step up to senior cricket for Gold Coast next year.
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