Victorian under-18 development squad announced

Staged from January 14 to 20, the team will replace last year’s Auckland Schoolgirls team, eliminating the bye round, and will be coached by former Australian captain Karen Rolton.

Selected from Bartercard Premier Cricket and Under-18 VicSpirit Pathway performances, the squad provides players with an excellent opportunity to showcase their skills against the best under-18 players in Australia.

The team also highlights the depth of Victorian cricket with the host state entering two sides in the competition.

“Even though they missed out on making the initial Victorian side, the girls will still have a chance to see how well they can play against the best under-18 cricketers around the country,” Victorian under-18 development squad coach Karen Rolton said.

“To have 26 of our young girls receive the opportunity to compete in the Championships is great for the future of Victorian cricket,” Victorian Academy Female Chairman of Selectors Kent Hannam said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for these players in the development squad to work with one of Australia’s finest players in Karen which will benefit their cricket as well as the future of the VicSpirit program.”

Ringwood’s Grace Mills has been included in the side after accumulating 178 runs during the recent Under-18 VicSpirit Pathway Championships where her highest score was an unbeaten 103.

Fellow South East Sharks teammate and Melbourne’s Elly Donald also performed well at the Championships, taking eight wickets while also amassing 127 runs with a high score of 78.

The Central Highlands’ Sophie Van De Heuvel and the Inner South East Scorpions’ Erika Quinn will both play in their second national tournament of the year, having also featured at the Under-15 National Championships last month.

“Hopefully all the girls can improve in each game and continue to develop their game,” Rolton said.

Victorian under-18 development squad
Katie Kile (Prahran CC & Central Highlands)
Amy Yates (Melbourne CC & South East Sharks)
Taylah Lynn (Essendon Maribyrnong Park LCC & Western Spirit)
Grace Mills (Ringwood CC & South East Sharks)
Sophie Van De Heuvel (Napoleons-Sebastopol & Central Highlands)
Alice Johnstone (Hamilton College CC & Western Waves)
Emma Lynch (Napoleons-Sebastopol CC & Central Highlands)
Elly Donald (Melbourne CC & South East Sharks)
Madi Clayton (Box Hill CC & Inner East Emus)
Jacinta Goodger-Chandler (Napoleons-Sebastopol CC & Central Highlands)
Primrose Wohlers (Dandenong WCC & South East Sharks)
True Campbell (Melbourne CC & Outer East Eagles)
Erika Quinn (Coburg CC & Inner South East Scorpions)