cricket
By samuel darroch
IMPERIALS junior cricketer Keira Morley first picked up a bat just 12 months ago and has already achieved selection in the School Sport Victoria invitational team to contest the 2014 School Sport Australia Cricket Championships.
The 12 year-old St Gabriel’s Primary School student emerged from a series of Cricket Victoria trials dating back to February to make the cut and could scarcely believe her accomplishment.
“I didn’t know how to react really, I was too surprised,” Keira said.
The budding all-rounder played her first match last season when brother Ryan’s team was short, and has not looked back, giving up gymnastics to focus on cricket.
“I played the next week and I did alright and I’ve just liked it ever since,” she said.
After a year playing alongside Ryan, and with tuition from father and under 13 Imperials coach Wayne Morley, Keira has come a long way in a short time.
“My bowling definitely (has improved), I used to chuck the ball but now I bowl it properly,” she said.
As the only girl in her team, and the entire junior Traralgon competition, Keira is used to tough competition and is looking forward to the challenge of elite female cricket.
The squad netballer and basketballer will play a series of practice matches with the SSV side in the leadup to the Bendigo tournament, and has already gelled with her new teammates.
“They’re actually really nice girls and they’re really good cricketers,” she said.
The SSA championship will be held in January.
