Melville’s Rebecca McGrath and Midland Guildford’s Ines McKeon have been rewarded for their strong individual performances in the recent Cricket Australia Under 19 National Female Championships played in Brisbane, by being named in the Team of the Tournament.
Star WA duo included in Team of the Tournament
The star duo formed part of a young and exciting WA team, who showed plenty of promise throughout the week-long Championships, winning three out of their six matches.
McKeon was her state’s star performer, tallying 298 runs at 37.25 in six innings, to finish as the tournament’s leading run-scorer after opening the batting in every match.
The 16-year-old produced the highlight of the tournament when she blasted 139 off just 131 balls against the highly fancied Victoria Metro, a knock which included 10 fours and an incredible nine sixes.
Her consistent form in this year’s tournament continues her rise through the junior ranks, with the powerful right-hander having performed strongly during last year’s Under 16’s Female Championships.
McKeon ended the tournament with 342 runs at an impressive average of 42.75 including four half-centuries and a top score of 85.
She then went on to play all eight matches in the Under 19s Championships as a 15-year-old, showing her ability to compete with cricketers well above her age group.
Meanwhile, McGrath showed her allround capabilities during the tournament, impressing with her right arm seamers and versatility to bat in the top order.
She compiled 219 runs at 27.38 in six innings, including her highest score of 68 against South Australia.
McGrath is a well-regarded leader within WA’s underage program and led the group superbly throughout the Championships.
Her inclusion in the Team of the Tournament caps off a brilliant 12 months, after finishing as the team’s leading run-scorer in last year’s tournament as a 17-year-old.
The talented batter compiled 199 runs at 33.17 in eight innings, including a match-winning 60 against NSW Country, as her side chased down 203 with five wickets to spare.
McGrath’s form saw her finish the summer on the cusp of a Women’s National Cricket League debut, with the young star getting the opportunity to travel with the WA squad for their two matches against Victoria in February.