As school year looms, Tasmanian Amy Smith is breaking records as youngest person to play senior state cricket game in Australia

WHILE most 14 year olds spent the weekend preparing for a new school year, Amy Smith was making history by becoming what is believed to be the youngest person to play a senior state cricket game in Australia.

Amy Smith, 14, has become the youngest cricketer ever to play for Tasmania. Picture: EDDIE SAFARIK.

WHILE most 14 year olds spent the weekend preparing for a new school year, Amy Smith was making history by becoming what is believed to be the youngest person to play a senior state cricket game in Australia.

Smith starts her first day of grade nine today and there is no doubt her Tasmanian debut will be the talk of Ogilvie High School.

The leg-spinner made her debut for Tasmania in its WNCL match against Western Australia last Friday and was also picked to play the game against Victoria two days later.

She was the youngest Tasmanian debutant, male or female, and possibly the youngest Australian, but with inexact records, even legendary statistician Ric Finlay was unable to 100 per cent confirm the national record.

It was a disappointing weekend for Tasmania, who came away with one win and one loss, and missed out on its first ever WNCL final.

However, Smith provided a bright spark with impressive performances in her two games, taking a wicket in each and being the team’s most economical bowler.

Smith said she learned a lot out of the games, especially playing with a more senior team.

“I learnt a lot,” Smith said.

“Mainly about the positioning of fielders during the game.”

Smith plays her cricket with the New Town Cricket Club and has been a part of Tasmania’s under-15 and under-18 teams this season, however she did not expect to play for the senior women’s side.

“I got told two days before the game, which was the night before I flew out,” Smith said.

“Sal (Salliann Briggs) rang dad, who then told me.

“I didn’t think it was going to be about that, I thought it was going to be about training.

“I had no idea I was close to playing.”

It wasn’t long ago that Smith started playing the game and her rise to first class cricket has been a rapid one.

Like Smith, other players who have made their first class debutes as a teenager include cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, Australian women’s superstar Ellyse Perry, and fellow Tasmanian Ricky Ponting.

Smith hopes she too can continue to improve enough to play at the next level.

“I probably started around grade three,” she said.

“I just played with my brother in the backyard.

“I hope to play for Australia one day but for now I just want to keep playing for the state.”