BRIONY Polkinghorne's upward spiral in the world of indoor cricket has reached a new high.
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The Ballarat gun has joined some of the biggest names in the game by winning Australia’s highest individual honour for a woman.
Polkinghorne was awarded the prestigious Monika Brogan Medal as a result of her performances in last year's national championships with Victoria and her efforts in winning the World Cup with Australia, also during 2014.
She joins the likes of Australian indoor cricket legend Jude Coleman, who has won the medal a record five times.
Polkinghorne said the award was “massive” in her list of career achievements.
"Some of the best players and people I have looked up to have won the award. I was certainly shocked and it was very unexpected when I play with some amazing cricketers,” Polkinghorne told The Courier.
Polkinghorne is also fresh from another national title with the Vics, which were successful in the championships in Brisbane at the weekend.
“Winning the title is always the best as you work so hard for it and to share it with best friends is special,” she said.
“But the medal did top off an amazing week.”
Polkinghorne was also named player of the open women's series, where she played alongside Laura Shaw, from Ballarat, and Central Highlands pathways squad coach Nicole Martin. All three were named in the 2015 all-star team following their performances during the tournament.
As a result, the trio will now be part of a group of players that take part in a high performance camp at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane later this year.
Polkinghorne had a particularly strong national championships campaign with the ball - taking 17 wickets - while also making more than 100 runs with the bat.
She said her current goals are to be picked for the Australian side to take on New Zealand in a trans-Tasman series next year, while also building towards the 2017 World Cup.