(Cricket news) Young Guns will be led by Melville’s Jessica Shepherd, who has been selected as captain after a sparking start to the summer in WA Premier Cricket. Often plying her trade in the top-order, Shepherd has been a model of consistency for her side, compiling 527 runs at 52.70 in 13 innings, to be the leading run-scorer in the Female Youth League Under 17’s competition.
She has also featured at senior level for Melville this season, including making her A Grade debut against South Perth last month. Wanneroo’s Tegan Williamson has also been included in the playing squad for the second consecutive year, after she performed strongly during last year’s Under 16’s Female Championships and the recently completed Under 19s Female Championships.
Despite competing against players well above her age, the diminutive allrounder produced a match-winning spell with the ball against Victoria Metro, collecting 5-33 off 9.1 overs as WA recorded a much-needed victory. Williamson showed she is a player with a promising future, tallying 176 runs at 35.20 and eight wickets in eight Under 16s Championship matches last summer, with her spin-bowling and middle-order batting set to play an important role for an improving WA side in 2023-24.
WA will be coached by Pathways Coach – Female Programs Ryan Hosking, who will be supported by Assistant Coaches Mark Manolini and Sheldyn Cooper. WA will compete in four T20 and two 50-over fixtures over the week-long tournament, beginning with a clash against NSW Country on Thursday January 18 at Kangaroo Bay Oval.Every match of the Under 16s National Female Championships will be streamed live on the Cricket Australia YouTube channel, while scorecards can be accessed through Play Cricket.
Looking ahead to the National Championships, Female Talent Development Manager Madonna Blyth said: “We believe we have selected a well-rounded squad with plenty of talent and we cannot wait to see the girls showcase their skills on the national stage. “Jessica Shepherd will captain the side, she has had an outstanding start to the season in WA Premier Cricket for Melville, and we are excited to see how she performs on the national stage.
“She is a great character around the group, and we know she will lead the team strongly throughout the Championships. “One to watch out for is Tegan Williamson, she is a supremely talented allrounder who finished in the Team of the Tournament in the U16s National Championships last season, we are very excited to see her take her game to another level this year.
“We hope the girls in the squad really enjoy the experience of going away together as a group, representing their state, and hopefully having some success along the way.
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