Tamworth cricketers lift prized Australian honour

Tamworth cricket has its own dynamic duo, fresh from playing a major role in ACT-NSW Country lifting the under-15 national cricket championship last month.

Lara Graham, 14, and Jess Davidson, 13, are back home after playing pivotal roles in the title-winning outfit.

Graham made headlines after producing the spell of the week-long tournament against Victoria Country.

Her haul of 5-1 was highlighted by a rare double hat-trick.

“It was amazing, I only bowled eight balls in total,” Graham said.

“It went a single, dot ball, wicket, dot ball, then two wickets from the last two balls of the over.

“I wasn’t thinking about the hat-trick at the start of the next over, but then I got their top-scorer out and got the last wicket as well.”

Graham finished the championships in Canberra with 10 wickets at the magnificent average of 5.8, the third highest-haul behind Vic Metro’s Jessica Matin (12) and South Australian Stephanie Beazleigh (11).

The medium pacer first took up cricket aged eight and credited her performances to being part of a top-class outfit.

“We all played as a team and had a lot of fun,” Graham said.

“I played in these championships the previous year with the Cricket Australia XI and while it was a great experience, this time around was even better to be on the ACT-NSW Country team.”

The Oxley High School student’s cricket schedule remains full with commitments at Sydney club Northern Districts and secondary school action coming up.

Davidson is also a long way from packing away the bag full of cricket gear for another summer.

Despite being one of the youngest members of the squad at 13, Davidson’s experience at national level shone through.

None more so than in the grand final with the hard-hitting batter scoring a brilliant 77 from 80 deliveries, highlighted by 13 boundaries, and was named the player of the decider.

“I played when we won last year and it was great to win it again,” Davidson said.

“I was pretty happy with the way I played and be part of a top team.

“It was a good week, especially beating NSW Metro.”

Davidson scored 126 runs for the championships at an average of 31.50 and displayed her all-round prowess by taking five wickets at 14.40.

The Calrossy Anglican School student was introduced to the game by her older brother Lachie, 17.

“I was probably eight when I first started after following him down to the nets,” she said.

Both Graham and Davidson list Australian stars Ellyse Perry as their cricketing role models, while Graham is also a big fan of national captain Meg Lanning.