Toowoomba’s 17-year-old Georgia Voll hangs with the best in Big Bash debut

CRICKET: The meteoric rise of Georgia Voll took another giant leap forward with her finest achievement to date.

Currently in the Sydney bubble, the Toowoomba 17-year-old made her Women’s Big Bash League debut for the Brisbane Heat on Wednesday night.

She etches her name as one of the youngest to don the teal of the Heat in a 24-run loss to the flying Sydney Sixers at Blacktown International Sportspark.

“It was really exciting to get out there with the girls. Being in the hub for two weeks now, it was nice to finally get out there with the girls,” Voll said.

“To receive my cap from JJ (Jess Jonassen) was a really great experience. It was a long day with the game at night. I made sure I had a sleep to kill some time and not use up too much energy.”

With the Sixers posting a total of 129, the Heat were under the pump when Voll came to the crease at 6-55 with nine overs to bat.

Voll looked right at home at the crease, smashing a boundary through the covers with just her fourth ball faced.

In the end she finished with eight runs from nine balls, coming unstuck to a delivery from South African international Dane van Niekirk.

“I was feeling quite good out there to be honest,” she said.

“It was nice to come in with a few spinners on, and I was unlucky with the ball I got out on. I tried to play too square.
“But it was good to get out there and score a few runs.”

What makes Voll’s debut more impressive is the fact she has been thrust into the bubble as a teenager, completing Year 12 exams while away from home.

In an emotional pre-game, Heat captain Jonassen read out a pre-game message of support from Voll’s mother Samantha, as well as a few motivating words of her own.

“It was a bit of a surprise. I didn’t know they had got in contact with mum,” she said.

“It was nice to hear their words and supporting me back home, and from JJ.”

“It was a few days ago we found out from Georgia by text,” Samantha said.

“This was so exciting for her. She’s been working really hard and has a great group of girls surrounding her.

“It was only a matter of time before she got an opportunity. She held her own and didn’t look out of place.”

The Heat’s next encounter takes place on Saturday against the Adelaide Strikers.