COROWA cricketer Gabby Sutcliffe’s textbook bowling action has helped her secure a spot in the NSW Country under-18 side as a bottom-age player.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The promising fast bowler turned plenty of heads during selection trials and is set to open or be first change in the national championships at Bendigo and Ballarat in January.
The 16-year-old plays for Corowa’s B-grade and under-16 sides with skipper Scott Wilson thrilled with her progress.
“Gabby’s a quiet kid who has the most amazing bowling action,” Wilson said.
“It’s effortless and she hits the wicket hard.
“She opened the bowling in B grade at the weekend and her run-up is just so smooth, she delivers it really well.
“Every week the opposition comment on it.”
The Corowa High School student was named in the NSW Country side after a series of trials and camps and is looking forward to taking on the country’s best youngsters.
Cricket Albury-Wodonga players and officials believe she picked up another yard of pace during the off-season.
“I’m always saying I haven’t got quicker but Dad and a few other people think I have,” she laughed.
“They have been doing a lot of work on my bowling technique in Sydney and we do strength and conditioning as well which helps.”
Sutcliffe’s Corowa teammate and CAW Thunder/Stars girls cricket league coordinator Catherine Wood said the Billabong Crows netballer had worked hard on her game.
“She absolutely loves the game and she’s always wanting to improve,” Wood said.
“She asks a lot of questions and listens to what people have to say.
“Gabby’s hitting the crease nice and hard with her bowling and has really improved because of that momentum and her strength.”
While Sutcliffe is being fast-tracked through the representative grades, she is keeping both feet planted firmly on the ground.
“I just want to work my hardest and work my way up,” Sutcliffe said.
North Coast’s Troy McKiernan will coach the NSW Country side at the national championships with 50 and 20-over matches scheduled at the two locations.
Sutcliffe is the second CAW player to be named in a state side this week after New City’s Liam Fitzsimmons was picked in the Victoria Country under-19 team.
He will play in the Australian championships in Adelaide from December 3.
