LIZ Drake has had a ball in her first season of open-age women’s cricket.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
While her career will be put on hold when she takes up a position in the Army soon, Drake remains part of the new breed at Napoleons-Sebastopol.
The 19-year-old, a regular member of Central Highlands’ girls state championship teams in the past, has helped the club during a successful campaign in the Victorian Women’s Cricket Association premier seconds competition.
Naps-Sebas will tomorrow battle out the Twenty20 grand final against Brighton District in Dandenong before backing up on Sunday for the final home-and-away round of the one-day season against Box Hill, where it remains on top of the ladder.
Drake, who played in the Highlanders’ under-18 girls state final defeat on the MCG 0two years ago, said it had been great to get back on the field after a year away from the game.
“I just had one year off because I got too old (for juniors) and didn’t even think about going to Naps-Sebas, but then I got there and it’s been pretty good,” Drake, a former East Ballarat player, said.
“I’ve found it really good because a lot of the girls that play have been around for about 10 years and they help out all of the youngsters.
“I think I have improved.”
The former Loreto College student is one of more than half a dozen new players under 21 who arrived at the club in 2012-13.
Naps-Sebas is now hoping it can gather enough new faces for a second team next season and eventually become strong enough to progress to the premier firsts competition.
Drake had some encouraging words for any girls looking for a game.
“Definitely have a crack. It’s great to keep active and the club is really good,” she said.
“The club is just great and they are all just so welcoming. When I come back I’ll hopefully get a spot back in the team.”