Geelong cricketer Milly Illingworth returns to her roots for the 2024-25 season

A promising Geelong West fast bowler has gone from sub fielding in her father’s team to the poster girl for the Melbourne Renegades in just a few years.

Rising star Milly Illingworth is moving back to Geelong. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images for Cricket Australia.

Standing next to one of the world’s most exciting T20 talents in Jake Fraser-McGurk at Marvel Stadium this week, Geelong West cricketing product Milly Illingworth must have wondered how she got to such a lofty position so fast.

The 19-year-old fast bowler, who began her cricket journey watching YouTube clips of 1970s and 80s tearaway Jeff Thomson, then sub fielding in her father’s team, was the poster girl for the Melbourne Renegades when announcing a new corporate sponsorship with Tangerine.

Put simply, Illingworth will be the face of a new social media campaign following the multi-year agreement, putting the teenager front and centre during the 2024-25 summer.

Less than a decade ago, Illingworth began her cricketing journey as a sub fielder for her father Simon’s senior team back in Port Campbell.

Simon, a former police whistle blower, was a garlic farmer in the area.

Milly Illingworth began her cricket journey playing with her father Simon who ran a Port Campbell garlic farm.

Born in Geelong West, the Illingworths moved to the Great Ocean Rd town, where Illingworth took the field with dad around 12 with the Heytesbury Rebels in the South West Cricket Association.

“It just started off with sub fielding,” Illingworth said on Saturday.

“Then it eventuated into bowling a few overs, I haven’t really dropped a ball since.”

While some kids might be bored by the task of long afternoons in the field with their father, Illingworth was enthralled by the game’s subtleties and a deep passion was born.

“I actually loved it, the club was great, so friendly and welcoming,” she said.

“They were one of the biggest supporters of me when I was in my juniors.”

There was plenty to cheer for as Illingworth progressed through talent pathways including the Western Waves under Geelong women’s cricket coach Steven Field.

Renegades players Jake Fraser McGurk (far left) and Millie Illingworth (far right) with Tangerine founders Richard and Andy Branson (centre). Picture: Tangerine.

“He was huge in my juniors,” she said of Field, a champion of women’s cricket in the region.

With Field’s connections to Essendon Maribyrnong Park CC, Illingworth, an Emmanuel College student, and her father began the tradition of lengthy, regular drives to the city for games.

“I was travelling every weekend to play, dad played a huge role,” she said.

“I’d hate to see the car service bill (laughs), he was doing a few ks.”

Those trips became even more regular as Illingworth progressed through state’s pathways system.

And early last year in South Africa, she would play for the country at the under-19 World Cup — Geelong teenager Ollie Peake would do something similar months later, after being call up as an emergency.

However, in a boon for local women’s cricket, Illingworth is moving back to Geelong to be closer to family, and is excited to be renewing old friendships and gaining access to the city’s new Barwon Regional Cricket Centre next door to GMHBA Stadium.

“It’s a first class facility down there ... it’s on par with the Junction Oval,” she said.

Her brother Tommy will also play for Highton Cricket Club in 24-25.

Illingworth bowls for Australia against Sri Lanka at the under-19 World Cup in South Africa. Picture: Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty Images.

“It was a bit of a no-brainer in terms of being able to spend a bit more time with my family,” Illingworth said of the move.

“I’ve got a lot of family in the area.

“My family goes back five generations in Geelong, there’s a bit of history there. I’m so excited.”

Illingworth also has strong connections with Geelong women’s coach Steph Townsend and player Ruby Couch.

“There’s plenty of girls around that I grew up playing cricket with,” she said.

After making her Women’s Big Bash League debut with the Stars against the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval last October, Illingworth has crossed to the Renegades for the 24-25 season and is now happily focusing on cricket full time.

Illingworth celebrates the wicket of they Sydney Sixers’ Kate Pelle in October, 2023. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images.

She is set to jet to Maroochydore with Victoria for a series of practice games against several states.

“I don’t feel like I’m working a day, ever,” she said.

“It’s just so fun and to do something I love as my job, I’m so grateful for it.

“There’s a huge rivalry there (between the Stars and Renegades) but at the end of the day Cricket Victoria wins because everyone’s staying in the Victorian program.”

Making national headlines for hitting the 120kmhr barrier last summer – achieving a specific goal set before the season – Illingworth now has her sights set for 130.

“A big one for me is staying as strong as I can,” she said.

“Just to limit the injury factor.

“I’m ready to hit the turf ... I’m fit and firing, it will be nice to have a bowl in some warm weather.”

Originally published as Geelong cricketer Milly Illingworth returns to her roots for the 2024-25 season