Sunshine Coast Scorchers talent Mikayla Wrigley earns WBBL contract with Brisbane Heat

A standout Sunshine Coast and Queensland cricket talent has made huge inroads into her professional dream after being signed to the Brisbane Heat for the upcoming WBBL season.

Brisbane Heat new signing Mikayla Wrigley. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Sunshine Coast rising cricket talent Mikayla Wrigley has edged another step closer to her elite level dream after securing a contract with the Brisbane Heat for the upcoming WBBL season.

The promising wicketkeeper and batter began her cricketing journey when she was 11-years-old after following in the footsteps of Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry.

“I grew up playing most sports to be honest, any sport that got me outside or out of school,” she said.

“My main one at the time was soccer for my school Chancellor State College and my club the Sunshine Coast fire.

“I thought I was going to be a soccer player as I was a big fan of Ellyse Perry who at the time was a dual international in soccer and cricket but once she chose cricket full time I thought oh well I want to start playing cricket too.”

Mikayla Wrigley in action for the Sunshine Coast Scorchers.

Wrigley joined the USC Cricket Club in Buderim before earning representative selection with the Sunshine Coast Scorchers from under-14s.

“When I first transitioned from boys to an all girls team everyone took turns at wicket keeping,” she said.

“One of the coaches thought I was pretty decent behind the stumps while also inferring my slow bowling wasn’t good enough and I should focus on wicket keeping.

“I loved it, I think because you’re involved in every play and you can be annoying to the batsman which I was good at.”

The now 20-year-old has represented the Scorchers for seven straight seasons with various honours along the way including captain of the under-15 Queensland squad, Australian under-16s selection, two time Kath Smith Medal as the best and fairest player in the Queensland Premier Cricket Katherine Raymont Shield competition and was also the Queensland Country Player of the Year last season.

Mikayla Wrigley getting a stumping.

Wrigley joins Scorchers duo Lucy Hamilton, a third year Heat signing who will captain the Scorchers T20 Max side this season, as well as Bonnie Berry, an Australian under-19 star who is originally from Emerald but has spent the past two seasons with the Scorchers, Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat.

Wrigley said the achievement of receiving a professional contract still hadn’t sunk in.

“To grow up and watch the girls on TV or go to the games it’s something I’ve always wanted to be a part of so the first few weeks of meeting and interacting with everyone has been pretty surreal but I definitely don’t think it’s all hit me just yet,” she said.

“I think because I’m a little bit older than the normal age of girls getting contracts I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a little bit longer.

“For it to all happen at once now is a lot but at the same time I’ve been somewhat waiting for it to come.

“It’s really special to see the hard work and sacrifices paying off but I also know there’s plenty more challenges to come at that next level.”

Wrigley was awarded her inaugural Queensland Fire contract earlier this season after producing back-to-back Premier Cricket seasons where she scored 750-plus runs in the Katherine Raymont Shield, the third most of any player.

Mikayla with her parents Tamara and Peter. Picture: Supplied

Wrigley thanked the efforts and support of her parents, Pater and Tamara, brother Ashton and batting coach Craig Peck.

“Craig is a big reason I’ve gotten to where I am today and the type of player I want to be on and off the field is a reflection of his mentorship which I really value,” Wrigley said.

Peck, a former Scorchers coach who is now with Northern Suburbs, had been working alongside Wrigley since she was 11-year-old.

“She always had great hand-eye coordination, our focus was more so on developing those skills for technique, timing and power hitting,” he said.

“I always knew she was going to make it, it was just a matter of when but the delay in recognition has probably been the best thing for her.

“It’s given her an even better work ethic, she’s worked really hard to get to where she is now but that’ll keep her in good stead.

“Anytime any player graduates from club to professional cricket is a huge win and one I’m very proud of.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Scorchers talent Mikayla Wrigley earns WBBL contract with Brisbane Heat