Top 50 Victorian female junior cricketers: The best players revealed
Victoria‘s best female juniors cricketers are among the best in the country. Here’s our top 50.
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As the start of the under 19 cricket nationals in Perth approaches, Victoria’s best junior female cricketers have been revealed.
On Friday, December 4, 28 of the top female juniors in Victoria will take the field in Western Australia for the start of national event.
A combination of four T20’s and three one-day matches will take place with Victoria Metro and Country striving to take the mantle off reigning winners Queensland.
Ahead of the tournament, Victorian Country under 19 coach Nicole Martin said she has a team that is “certainly going to be competitive” as it only has one new player from last year’s selected side.
Victorian Metro under 19 coach Anna O’Donnell said it was “really exciting” to go away with the group who “get along really well.”
Victoria state U19 Country squad
Paris Bowdler, Prahran
Aanliya Cheeran, Plenty Valley
Tia Davidge, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Georgia Gall, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Poppy Gardner, Dandenong
Hasrat Gill, Melbourne
Milly Illingworth, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Grace Jones, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Sara Kennedy, Carlton
Bronte Leishman, Geelong
Rhys McKenna, Prahran
Jasmine Nevins, Plenty Valley
Yashoda Senarathne, Box Hill
Ribhya Syan, Plenty Valley
Victoria state U19 Metro squad
Erin Carroll, Ringwood
Ruby Cullinan, Burwood
Samara Dulvin, Prahran
Ella Hayward, Melbourne
Olivia Henry, Ringwood
Annecy Homberg, Melbourne
Vaish Munulkutla, Box Hill
Lucy Page, Melbourne
Mia Perrin, Melbourne
Tegan Rule, Ringwood
Zoe Samuel, Melbourne
Isabel White, Box Hill
Maddie White, Prahran
Ellen Williams, Prahran
While the Victorian Metro and Country selected representatives will get the chance to showcase their skills on the national stage, Leader Cricket has also shined a light on the prospects who just missed out on the team.
So here’s the best of the best in Victorian female junior cricket culminated after speaking with both state U19 coaches.
Top 50 Victorian junior female cricketers:
COUNTRY CRICKETERS
Lily Bastian, Lindenow
Role: Batter
A top order left-handed batter who finds the gaps. Bastian plays for the Lindenow Cricket Club in the Bairnsdale Cricket Association.
Paris Bowdler, Prahran
Role: Wicketkeeper
A dynamic player who can just about do it all. Bowdler has strong hands and moves well with the gloves on. She can also go in the field and use her strong arm to advantage with her throwing. With the bat, she typically comes in at the top and can hit with great power. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Kirrily Bruce, Sale
Role: Wicketkeeper
A players who performed well when trialling in the under 16’s state program last year. Unfortunately a team was picked and a national tournament didn’t happen due to COVID-19. Bruce is also a top order batter.
Sara Burns, Carlton
Role: Batter
A talented cricketer who lives in Burrom Buddick, NSW. She trained with both NSW and Victoria in the under 16’s but had to chose one state for under 19’s. She chose NSW although she does play games for Calton in premier cricket. A hard worker who will train and put in the hard yards to improve her game. Burns is a left-hander who is “dominant with the bat.”
Aanliya Cheeran, Plenty Valley
Role: All-rounder
An off-spinner that bowls at high speeds but can also turns the ball. Cheeran has good game sense highlighted by the fields she sets. She is also a technically strong batter who “is always willing to do what’s needed” whether it is scoring boundaries or rotating the strike. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Isabella Collins, Romsey
Role: Batter
A middle order batter who is still eligible for the under 16’s.
Tia Davidge, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Role: Wicketkeeper
Played a role with the gloves in last year’s under 19 tournament. Has a positive attitude that beneficial in any team. Can whack boundaries with the bat but also occupies the crease for long periods of time. Takes on the game. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Bianca Decker, Geelong
Role: Batter
A top order batter who “hits a big ball” and can “find the boundary quite often.” An exciting player.
Mia Earl, Old Students
Role: Bowler
A consistent medium pacer who plays for the Old Students Cricket Club in Shepparton. Recently took a bunch of wickets in a pathways tournament for Northern Rivers.
Georgia Gall, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Role: All-rounder
Plays AFLW with Melbourne. A bowling all-rounder who is returning from injury. A left-arm fast bowler and left-handed bat who is athletically gifted. Has been linked to the Melbourne Stars WBBL team and is “a star of the future”. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Poppy Gardner, Dandenong
Role: All-rounder
A right-arm bat and left-arm bowler. Gardner was contracted with WBBL team Melbourne Renegades last year. Swings the ball both ways and hits a consistent length with the ball. Uses her feet well. Can play different roles through the middle order. A leader among the group. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Hasrat Gill, Melbourne
Role: All-rounder
Was awarded a WBBL contract with the Melbourne Stars this season. A left-hand bat and right-arm leg spinner who “competes really well.” The 16-year-old understands the game to a high level and has been bowling leg spin for only a year after transitioning over from off-spin. Work the gaps well with the bat allowing her to rotate the strike well. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Annabelle Glossop, Geelong
Role: Batter
Right-hand batter who hits a hard ball and shows power. A player who takes on the game. Glossop can also go behind the stumps in a wicketkeeper position.
Maddie Green, Geelong
Role: All-rounder
A pace bowler and batter who had to recover from an injury earlier in the season. Green is a power hitter who can whack big boundaries.
Meera Hyderabad, Dandenong
Role: Wicketkeeper
Has good hands and is able to move quickly behind the stumps.
Milly Illingworth, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Role: All-rounder
Illingworth is the quickest female junior bowler in the country. She has been consistently clocked at more than 110km/h. The 17-year-old who is a wicketaker with her “very good speed, bounce and power through the crease.” Has a strong ability to score boundaries through the leg side. Has “good power” and can score quickly. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Grace Jones, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Role: Leg spinner
A leg spinner who “gets really good turn” and is “not afraid to float them up.” Jones had a breakout season in 2019-20 which caught the attention of selectors. Batters need to be wary of her variations. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Sara Kennedy, Carlton
Role: Fast bowler
A left-arm fast bowler who can swing the ball. Gets an advantage from her speed and height. Kennedy is still eligible for under 16. A player to watch. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Bronte Leishman, Geelong
Role: All-rounder
A bowling all-rounder who has “good pace and control”. She is strong at the crease and technically “very correct.” Leishman is the youngest in the team at age 15. A player to watch. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Alyssa Lucas, Golden Point
Role: All-rounder
An all-rounder from Central Highlands who can take the gloves and bowl as well impressively.
Rhys McKenna, Prahran
Role: All-rounder
A leader of the group who will captain the side if she goes to Perth for the tournament, pending on her commitments with the Stars. A player who is “aggressive with the bat” with the ability to find the boundary but also rotate the strike. McKenna is a wicketaker with the ball helped by her pace and athleticism. She is also strong in the field highlighted by her power throwing arm and pace to get to the ball. Her availability for the tournament will depend on her bowling loads and balancing playing time with the Stars. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Emily Mitchell, Plenty Valley
Role: Bowler
Bowls with a bit of a sling action at a high speed of 105km/h. A competitor who has “done really well through the pre-season and trial games” and was unlucky to miss out on making the team.
Jasmine Nevins, Plenty Valley
Role: All-rounder
A genuine all-rounder who is the best junior female country fielder in the state. Has been injured recently so hasn’t been bowling as much as normal. A batter that can rotate the strike well on both sides of the wicket. Versatile with the ball. She can swing the ball both ways and hits a spot consistently. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Matilda Pendergast, Prahran
Role: All-rounder
Bowls a consistent line and length with her medium pace. Gets busy with the bat and understands her role well helped by her ability to rotate the strike. Also handy in the field with her agility and athleticism.
Jemma Reynolds, Dandenong
Role: All-rounder
Probably the “most improved” this year even though she didn’t make the side. Has enhanced her game awareness and “ability to execute her skills.” Reynolds reads the ball well and has good hands.
Hannah Rooke, Brierley Christ Church
Role: Spinner
Plays for the Brierley Christ Church Cricket Club in Warrnambool. A right-arm orthodox spinner.
Demi Sanoni, Mildura West
Role: Bowler
A bowler who has “good pace” and hits the pitch hard. Sanoni is tall and can get bounce. She also bats in the middle order.
Yashoda Senarathne, Box Hill
Role: All-rounder
Bowls a “really good” line and length making her a “very effective” player in the powerplays. She is generally a top order bat who “rotates the strike really well” and is technically strong particularly against a moving ball. Senarathne is a player to watch being under 18 eligible. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Sienna Sims, Wangaratta Magpies
Role: All-rounder
Had a good pathways tournament for North East Knights. Bowls a “really good line and length” with her wobbly balls that have proven tricky for batters. Can also bat.
Ribhya Syan, Plenty Valley
Role: All-rounder
A top order batter who “rotates the strike really well” and “runs hard between wickets.” She maintains pressure with her off-spin and puts the ball in good spots and asking questions of the batters. She is under 18 eligible and a player to watch. Selected in this year’s state under 19 country team.
Abby Wrigglesworth, Dandenong
Role: All-rounder
Has been injured in recent times unfortunately but Wrigglesworth is an up-and-coming all-rounder.
METRO CRICKETERS
Ellen Bradley, Box Hill
Role: Bowler
A medium pacer who has “developed a lot in the last couple of year” especially with her consistency. A good team player who is highly respected among the playing group.
Erin Carroll, Ringwood
Role: Bowler
A left-arm medium pace bowler who can bowl great inswingers which “sets her apart.” Has been successful in the last couple of years at national level and premier cricket. Bowls well in the powerplay. Is also handy with the bat coming in at the lower order with an ability to tick over the scoreboard. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Ruby Cullinan, Burwood
Role: Bowler
A player who was also in the state team last year. Has a hard work ethic and “a really nice action” that is “fluid through the crease.” Has the ability to swing it in and is set to benefit from the bounce that she could get in Perth during nationals. She made her debut for Melbourne in premier cricket this season. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Samara Dulvin, Prahran
Role: All-rounder
A hard trainer who will put in the time to develop. Dulvin has an “incredible technique” making her “really solid.” She is a “really exciting talent” with shots that will impress any onlooker for a batter of her age. The 15-year-old bowls leg spinners which come out the front of the hand. Dulvin will play in both the under 16 and under 19 Victorian Metro team at the national tournaments this season.
Bridie Groves, Carlton
Role: All-rounder
A top order bat who has “a really good technique” that looks “really solid.” Groves also bowls a consistent line and length with her mediums. Was unlucky not to make the state team. She was “great around the group” during training sessions and has the potential to go further with her cricket.
Ella Hayward, Melbourne
Role: All-rounder
Hayward has been contracted with the Melbourne Renegades and Victoria since season 2020-21. An off-spinner who will also play a role with the bat at this year’s national carnival. With the bat, she “strikes the ball really well” and can score at all parts of the ground. With the ball, she is economical and can be hard to get away. Hayward made it into the team of the tournament last year following a strong campaign for the Victoria Metro under 19’s. She is also a strong fielder with “incredible hands” making her a good catcher. Hayward has a four-fa for the Renegades under her belt. A highly rated player who was selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Olivia Henry, Ringwood
Role: All-rounder
A state contracted player and WBBL contracted player with the Melbourne Stars. A top order bat who “strikes the ball really well” and hits them clean. Has developed an ability to score quickly. Bowls handy off spin as well. She tosses the ball up and can beat batters with flight. Has a good arm in the field. A highly rated player who was selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Annecy Homberg, Melbourne
Role: Wicketkeeper
Has “improved a heck of a lot with the bat.” She strikes the ball cleanly and is “incredibly strong” hitting through the off side similar to Steve Smith. Also a standout fielder on the boundary line. Homberg with share the keeping duties during the tournament. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Aman Kaur, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Role: All-rounder
Her biggest strength is the amount of in swing she gets with her medium pace. With the bat she can turn the strike over well and run hard between the wickets. She didn’t make the under 19 team but was “pretty close.”
Sienna Ferrara, Essendon Maribyrnong Park
Role: Batter
A player who “strikes the ball really well” and looks solid at the crease. She is “someone to watch” having scored quite a few runs at premier cricket level.
Vaishnavi Munukutla, Box Hill
Role: Spinner
A leg spinner who was in the Victoria Metro under 16 team last year. She “turns the ball really well and bowls good areas” with her nice flight. Can strike a ball well over the top if needed. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Ashling O’Farrell, Box Hill
Role: Spinner
A leg spinner and “really handy” middle order and lower order bat. Unfortunately got an ankle injury stepping on a cricket ball at training during pre season which has kept her out for a long period.
Lucy Page, Melbourne
Role: All-rounder
A bowling all-rounder who is a “really promising prospect.” Has a good technique and can get behind the ball. She has also hit “one of the best sixes over cover” in a premier cricket final against Dandenong. Has the talent to score runs and play some impressive shots. Can also grind out an innings and hold up an end. With the ball, she bowls a hard length and is hard to get away with her medium pace. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Lily Pelosi, Greenvale
Role: Bowler
Taller than most other fellow pace bowlers. Gathers good bounce with her speed. Unfortunately got injured just before the trials which restricted her from participating.
Mia Perrin, Melbourne
Role: Wicketkeeper
An unorthodox batter who hits to awkward areas of the ground making it hard to bowl to her. She takes the game on and likes to score quickly. Perrin often play shots with a knee on the ground. Handy in the field especially in the point area. Solid with the gloves on as well. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Teagan Rule, Ringwood
Role: All-rounder
With the bat, Rule is really good at going through the gears. Can score quick but also bat for long periods. She hit one of the fastest under 19 bowlers Bronte Leishman for a ramp shot at training. She has developed bounce with her off spin. Last season, she took a seven-fa with the ball proving her strong ability in the game. The 15-year-old will play in under 16 nationals for Victoria Metro as well as the under 19 metro team.
Zoe Samuel, Melbourne
Role: All-rounder
A highly rated player who is still eligible for under 16’s. Samuel has an “incredible understanding of the game” and reads the play well. Brings up innovative ideas that has allowed her to grow as a cricketer. With her pace bowling, she has releases good variations with her slower balls and yorkers making her a handy option at the death. Played a mature innings of 72 this season against Prahran which displayed her variety of shots. She made a century in a recent Marg Jennings Cup under 18 premier cricket carnival where she was also the player of the tournament. Also a good fielder with a solid arm and an impressive ability to read the play. A player of the future who is a “really exciting cricketer” that is set “for bigger and better things” in her cricket career. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Maddie White, Prahran
Role: Bowler
An exciting prospect who has “a really nice action and ball speed.” Has returned from a stress fracture injury. She can also play a role with the bat with her ability to hit sixes straight down the ground. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Isabel White, Box Hill
Role: All-rounder
An off spinner who has “taken a heap of wickets at premier level.” Flights the ball and turns them. White is a top order bat who is good at turning over the strike. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
Uvindee Wijesena, Dandenong
Role: All-rounder
A left-handed bat and right-arm off-spinner who is “certainly a promising cricketer.” Gets a bit of turn and flights the ball up. Hits well through the leg side.
Ellen Williams, Prahran
Role: All-rounder
Give plenty of flight with her leg spin which often gets the better of batters. Gathers “a lot of turn so she is always in the game when she has got the ball in hand which is always really exciting”. Has “really come on with the bat” made evident by her running in between the wicket and ball striking. Selected in this year’s state under 19 metro team.
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