Tara Craig farewelled high school this month and said hello to the rest of her life.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
It is a life rich with possibility: early entrance into the University of Canberra to study biomedical science will be augmented by a continuation of her first-grade career in Sydney and a push to become a professional cricketer.
For several years the 18-year-old quick has travelled from Tamworth to Sydney to play cricket for Northern District, the past two seasons in Premier Cricket.
The Calrossy Anglican School alumnus described her Sydney grade stint as "a very rewarding experience".
"It's a good group of girls to play with," she said.
Read also:
Craig's pursuit of a higher level of cricket - aided substantially by her parents, Sue and Andy - shows she has the work ethic and drive needed to give her the best possibility of success.
Now she wants to take her game to another level to show she is Big Bash material.
And if that happened, her ultimate goal of playing for Australia could be realised.
The upcoming national under-19 championships could provide her with an ideal platform to shine.
She has been named in the ACT/NSW Country squad, but the final side is yet to be selected.
Craig's long list of cricketing thrills got longer on Saturday when she made her first-grade debut in Tamworth, finishing with 0-21 off two overs for Old Boys in a Twenty20 defeat of West Tamworth at Riverside 1.
It was a great experience. I enjoyed playing in the first-grade side.
- Tara Craig
"I was pretty surprised to get a call-up," she said.
She added: "It was a great experience. I enjoyed playing in the first-grade side. It was pretty rewarding."
For the first time in a number of years, she got to play with her 15-year-old brother, Zac, a talented leg-spinner who took two wickets against Wests.
Old Boys rebounded immediately from a loss by thumping West Tamworth.
Beaten by City United the previous round after defeating them in the one-day final, Old Boys kept Wests winless for the season with an emphatic eight-wicket triumph.
Old Boys No 3 Aaron Hazlewood posted his second half century of the season, a 26-ball 54 not out, while Wests opener David Mudaliar scored 66.
After winning the toss and batting, Wests made 5-136.
Zac Craig took 2-30 off four overs, while Hazlewood, Troy Sands and Jack Richards each snared a wicket.
Old Boys opener Jack Hamilton struck a 27-ball 41, while Zac Craig finished unbeaten after a 16-ball 20 batting at No 4.
Jake Philip and Harrison Kelly both claimed a wicket for Wests.
