North Geelong cricketer Rhyder Zdybel is leading the bowling and batting aggregate

A North Geelong all-rounder has dominated underage cricket so much, she’s forced her way into the women’s senior side.

Rhyder Zdybel plays a cut shot for North Geelong. Picture: North Geelong CC.

Practice, practice, practice.

That’s been the ethos of young North Geelong all-rounder Rhyder Zdybel since first picking up the bat in the backyard.

And she’s now leading the batting and bowling aggregates across all four junior girls grades in 2024-25.

So far this season, Zdybel – cousin of Colac ruckman Zach – has made 218 runs from four innings without being dismissed, with a highest score of 86 not out off 59 balls with 18 boundaries against Drysdale in the under-15 grade.

Meanwhile, she is equal for the most wickets with eight at an average of 5.5 with the best figures of 4-9 against Barrabool on Sunday.

The 13-year-old has dominated so much, she forced her way into the women’s first grade team on the weekend, making four not out in the Magpie’s five-wicket win against St Joseph’s.

“Walking out with the team l felt like: ‘this is it, I belong’,” Zdybel said, who loves the physical and mental challenge of the sport.

“I love everything about cricket but especially batting.

“You are constantly learning and trying to improve your game and techniques.

“Team work is so important and l love that everyone celebrates and supports each other during the highs and lows.

“It is such a great feeling being out on the field playing a game that you are so passionate about.”

She first got involved in the game playing in the backyard with her father and brothers.

And after watching them play on Saturdays, she decided she wanted to be part of the action and joined the club’s under-11 team.

Rhyder Zdybel has been a star for North Geelong's under-15 team. Picture: North Geelong Cricket Club.

“My dad has been a great mentor since I started and I have received some amazing coaching and support from too many people l cannot name them all,” she said.

“But a stand out was from Sam Hall for my batting.”

She said the best advice she has received in the game was block the good balls, punish the bad ones and get to training as often possible.

“Practice, practice and practice,” she said.

“Train hard and any opportunity that has been offered to better my skills I take.

“I know I am only 13 years old and have so, so much more to learn and develop but I am so dedicated and want to be the best l can be and hopefully one day play for Australia.”

She said her 86 not out was her most satisfying innings so far this year: “I felt my game was on point and all my hard work was paying off.”

Originally published as North Geelong cricketer Rhyder Zdybel is leading the bowling and batting aggregate