SHE didn’t get to bat or bowl, but Maitlan Brown said representing Country against City in the annual women’s cricket series was a great experience.
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Maitlan, 17, from Wingham, was the youngest player in the Country team.
She admits to being ‘a bit disappointed’ not to get the opportunity to play more of a role in the game and the series. However, Maitlan says it’s part of the learning curve. City won the third game last weekend to clinch the series 2-1.
Maitlan is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.
The cricket season doesn’t really stop for Maitlan.
She’s usually involved in off-season coaching programs or training camps of some description. This also includes coaching sessions with the NSW Breakers. Her weekends are taken up with the game - playing for United in the Manning first grade competition on Saturdays before heading to Sydney on Sundays, where she turns out for the Sydney Tigers.
Here she plays with and against some of the best women cricketers in the country.
This weekend she’ll play for United in the T20 round tomorrow before backing up to take her place in the side for the one day final on Sunday against Old Bar.
Maitlan admits a busy recent schedule, where she was away from home for nearly two weeks, did take a bit of a toll.
“I started to get a bit homesick,’’ she said.
“But playing cricket is what I do. So I have to get used to it.’’
Maitlan’s been a member of the NSW under 18 team for the past two years.
NSW has dominated the Australian championships for the past decade but there’s been a change of format for next January’s titles to be held in Victoria.
“Cricket Australia has split NSW into Metropolitan and ACT/NSW Country,’’ she explained.
“I’m eligible for both because I play for the Tigers and I’m hoping to make the Metro team,’’ she said.
“But the teams haven’t been chosen yet so I’m not taking it for granted that I’ll be selected.’’
Maitlan describes herself as an all-rounder and is proud of the fact she hit Australian fast medium bowler Renee Farrell for a six in a recnet match.
“I bat 10 for United but I usually open the batting for the Tigers. I open the bowling or I’m first change,’’ she explained.
She’ll have her last year in under 18s in 2015 and says her performances will depend on what happens in 2016.
She’ll also complete her HSC at Wingham High next year, so she faces an important 12 months.
“I’ll move into opens after next season so I don’t know what will happen then, although I have been picked in the Country open team already,’’ Maitlan explained.
She said playing first grade with United is ‘fun.’ She was a member of the premiership winning team last season. Maitlan so far has been spared from sledging by her opponents.
“I think they’re a bit scared to because I’m a girl,’’ s