Amy Edgar has been selected in the Australian under 16 Indoor Cricket side to play in the Junior World Series in Johannesburg, South Africa in October.
Amy Edgar has been named in the National Under 16 girls Indoor Cricket side following seven exciting days at the Australian Championships in Strathpine, Queensland recently.
The under 16 girls division made their debut at the championships as Edgar’s NSW team went through the tournament undefeated and claimed the Australian Title defeating South Australia 124-20 in the final.
Edgar will now take her place in the Australian team at the upcoming, inaugural World Indoor Cricket Federation (WICF) Junior World Series in Johannesburg, South Africa starting on September 30 beside players from Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland.
The event will feature teams from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and England across four divisions (boys’ 12s, 14s, 16s and 16s girls).
Edgar’s first foray into the sport proved worthwhile with her selection coming as a bit of a shock.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” Edgar said.
“They were my first games of indoor cricket, but many of the other girls were in the same position with the NSW team of nine girls only having two that had played before.
“I haven’t been overseas before so it will be exciting.”
Edgar played her way into the NSW side through her form with the Penrith Cricket Club last season in the outdoor version of the game.
Australian Extreme Men’s coach Ross Gregory expressed his support for the newly created Junior World Series.
“This is a significant step in providing a clear pathway for our junior players to reach the pinnacle of our sport,” Gregory said.
“I look forward to monitoring the progress of our future stars.”
Rod Kimmitt, Cricket Australia’s Indoor Cricket Program Manager, said the event provides a great stage for Australia’s large number of indoor participants.
“With over 198,000 participants, Indoor cricket plays a crucial role in our goal for cricket to be Australia’s favourite sport and this event will help us to highlight the opportunities for junior participation in cricket across 12 months of the year,” Kimmitt said.
Popular throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s in many regional centres, an indoor cricket facility existed in Cowra where the Cowra Health Club is now situated.
The game is played between teams of eight players with a specially designed ball on indoor courts enclosed by netting with rules requiring everyone to bat, bowl and field.
Edgar flies out to South Africa on September 26, where the Australian squad will have two days of practice sessions prior to the tournament start on October 1, and is due back into the country on October 9.
Australian players will be attempting to emulate the feats of Australia’s senior teams that travelled to the same venue last year for the WICF Indoor Cricket World Cup and returned victorious in all divisions.
