Six Geelong cricketers selected in the under-16 Country Victoria squad

Affectionately known as the “Rat Pack”, a Geelong sextet have been selected for an under-16 representative team ahead of the national championships.

Annie Taylor and Eve Righetti celebrate a wicket for Geelong. Picture: Wes Cusworth.

The future of women’s cricket at Kardinia Park is looking bright with Geelong producing six of the 13 players selected to represent Victoria Country at the under-16 national championships early next year.

Young Cats in Chloe Sewell, Sarah Burton, Grace Potter, Alexandra Croft, Eve Righetti and Annie Taylor have made the cut for the championships in Ballarat from January 6.
Meanwhile, new recruit and Werribee junior Gurveer Padam has been picked in the metro team.

It comes after nine Geelong players were selected to participate in the 20-member, under-16 Emerging Players Program Victoria Country squad.

Many of those who made the cut for the national champs are bottom-aged players who will qualify for selection next year.

Geelong president Jennie Deckker said the result was due to the club’s junior development and pathway programs.

Gurveer Padam, Chloe Sewell, Annie Taylor, Sarah Burton and Ally Croft have made the under-16 Country Victorian and Metro teams.

“Affectionately known as the ‘Rat Pack’ to our coaching team, this young group of girls are the perfect mix of natural talent that has met a dedicated development program,” Deckker said.

“The club made the decision a number of years ago to invest heavily into our academy and development programs, it’s great to see the reward for effort for our coaches, players and support team.”

“We’re working hard to achieve our lofty goal of becoming the best Premier Cricket Club in Australia.

“With the strength of talent in our current playing squads, development teams and our coaching group, we are well on our way.”

The announcement follows the inclusion of locals Bronte Leishman and Milly Illingworth in the Melbourne Renegades squad for the T20 Spring Challenge in Adelaide earlier this month.

Geelong’s second and third eleven teams sit on top of the ladder in their respective grades while the firsts won their opening match of the one day competition against EMP by four wicket.s

Chloe Sewell

The Inverleigh product, a top order batter and medium pacer, has impressed Cricket Victoria with her leadership and has taken regular wickets for Geelong’s T20 team so far.

Cats coach Steve Field said the first grade player was turning heads with her skills and maturity.

“She’s really excelled this year and I know Cricket Victoria are looking at her as a potential leader of that team,” Field said.

Sewell has claimed 3-31 against Ringwood, 1-29 versus Box Hill and 1-12 against Melbourne.

Inverleigh teenager Chloe Sewell bowls for Geelong. Picture: Supplied

Sarah Burton

The Ballan off spinner and middle order batter opened her first grade season with 1-24 off five overs against Essendon Maribyrnong Park.

“She’s really accurate, gives the ball a decent rip with her off spinners and really electric in the field as well and a powerful batter,” Field said.

Burton would back it up with 2-8 off four overs against EMP in Round 3 of second grade.

Grace Potter

The Dunkeld all rounder, who bats in the middle order and bowls first change medium, was a “gun fielder”, Field says, and has contributed useful runs so far this summer down the list.

“A great athlete and somebody who is currently playing in our twos,” Field said.

After taking 1-18 in the opening round against Dandenong, Potter has struck a pair of 13s against EMP and Plenty Valley.

Alexandra Croft

The youngest of the six selected for Country Victoria, the right arm off spinner and top order bat is currently playing in the threes.
Field said Croft’s decision to sacrifice playing netball during the winter had paid off by making the under-16 Country Victoria team.

“She’s worked on every part of her game, including her fitness, so it’s a great story that she’s made it through,” Field said.
The daughter of Geelong stalwart Aaron hit 23 not out off 25 balls in Round 1 while chipping in with mini spells of 1-8 against Prahan and 1-0 versus EMP.

Eve Righetti

Like Sewell, the Newstead medium pacer and middle order bat has also impressed with her leadership and is a “jet” in the field.

Currently sidelined with a thigh strain, Righetti played the first three T20 matches in first grade.

Annie Taylor

Also currently off the park with a thigh strain, the Anglesea product made but 48 off 51 balls against Prahan at the top of the order in Round 2 of the T20 tournament for the Cats.

“She’s a star ... really competitive and a strong top order batter,” Field said.

Highly regarded, Taylor was included the under-19 Emerging Players Country Victorian squad back in August.

Originally published as Six Geelong cricketers selected in the under-16 Country Victoria squad