Terrific Tiana goes to the UK

The talented all-rounder from the Mornington Cricket Club is the first girl to be invited to trial and be selected for the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association UK tour in 2016.

The right-hand batter and bowler is unfazed by playing against boys and instead embraces the challenge of playing against any opposition.

“I don’t care who I am facing just as long as a team turns up to play,” Tiana said.

“I don’t mind if there is a girl or boy at the other end, I just want to play cricket.”

The tour, which will take place in June/July 2016, consists of 10-12 limited over games across the UK and whilst her whole family would like to join her, Tiana’s grandparents will accompany her on the tour.

The Year 7 student from Frankston High lists Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry as her cricketing idols and was inspired after meeting Lanning last year.

“I met her at a training session and she also gave us our Victorian 12-and-under medals at the MCG,” Tiana said

“Meeting her has made me work harder on my batting.”

Tiana hopes to continue her rapid ascent in the game having already snared a hat-trick as well as making her maiden fifty in the School Sport Australia 12-and-under Cricket Championships in Darwin last year, where she opened the bowling and batting for Victoria.

Having first started playing the game at the age of six, the proud Mornington Cricket Club player became captivated by the game after attending a local MILO in2CRICKET session.

Tiana’s mum, Amanda noted that the club had been instrumental in her development.

“Tiana lives and breathes playing for Mornington. It’s tough to get her Mornington cap off her head!” she said.

Indeed it must be, with the youngster currently playing in both the under-12 and under-14 premier leagues in the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association as well as training three times a week.

While it’s hard to imagine Tiana having time for much else, she manages to fit in swimming, bike riding and running into her weekly schedule and this year the Sydney Swans supporter is looking forward to starting football with friends in cricket’s offseason.

Tiana and Amanda wanted to thank Di Day, Chris Hall, Richard Clifton and the Mornington Cricket Club for their support.