Western Waves trio earn Vic Country berths for 2018-19 Cricket Australia national championships

Port Fairy’s Maddie Green and Heytesbury Rebels’ Milly Illingworth will team up at the Cricket Australia under 15 female national championships in February.

Green, 13, credited her family for her rapid rise in the sport.

“My olders brothers both tried cricket and for one of them it wasn’t for him and the other one Max is a big influence,” she said.

“He always hangs around and helps me. It was because of him I got into it.”

Green, who top-scored for the Pirates’ under 15 boys team last week, said she was thrilled with her progress.

The Hamilton Alexandra College student said she was grateful for the support of her Warrnambool and District Cricket Association club. 

“It means that I have got an ability that people have been able to recognise and it means all the hard work I’ve done at Port Fairy Pirates has finally paid off,” she said of her Vic Country call up.

“I did the girls comp last year which was my first year of really playing cricket and it all went on from there, I went into the Western Waves and then got chosen to get into the Vic squad.

“There’s been a lot of trips up to Melbourne but it’s all been paying off because I have ended up in the Vic team.”

Green, who also plays for the Pirates’ under 17 girls team, said she wanted to refine all aspects of her game ahead of the Canberra-based titles.

“As I have only just started, I have been trying at everything,” she said.

“Everyone says I am a better bowler but I enjoy batting more.”

Port Campbell-based Illingworth, who thanked Heytesbury Rebels for their support, said she grew up with a passion for cricket.

“I’ve always loved to watch Tests and one-dayers and Dad (Simon) played a lot of cricket as well,” she said.

“I was pretty shocked and excited (to make Vic Country) and I was bit surprised because I am so young.”

Simon Illingworth said his daughter Milly, who goes to Timboon P-12, was learning from top South West Cricket talents.

“Milly has just turned 13 and she’s bowling at 95 to 96km/h,” Illingworth said.

“She is I suppose a natural athlete but she’s worked really hard and a great deal of the credit goes to her personal coach Jeff Rosolin and also the team coach Travis Brown.

“The Heytesbury Rebels Cricket Club is where she plays and the players have really nurtured her and they do all the kids and they’ve really brought out the best in them.”

Casterton’s Alyssa Humphries will play as a wicketkeeper-batsman for the under 18 squad.

Western Waves manager Tony Caccaviello said the trio's selection was part of a momentum-building period for female cricket.

"It is amazing to have three girls selected, it's a testament to the strength of girls cricket in our region," he said.

"A lot of hard work is being put in by players, coaches and administrators so this is a great reward.

"We have girls' competitions in Warrnambool and Hamilton, as well a women's competition in Hamilton and one not far away from starting in Warrnambool.

"There are some clear pathways in place for the girls.

"When you look at what (Mortlake’s) Georgia Wareham is achieving (with Australia), it is just fantastic.

"Georgia is just out of the Western Waves’ system and has already made it to international level."