Sport
19 February, 2024
Hunter set to rep Australia
AN Atherton-born cricket prodigy will be jet-setting across the world next month after being selected for the under-19s Australian Women’s Tour of Sri Lanka team.
Amy Hunter has been chasing her dream to play for Australia since primary school, and now the 18-year-old will be travelling to Sri Lanka in March, where she will play against the best under-19 cricketers in Sri Lanka and England.
Last year, Hunter was contracted to the highest level of women’s domestic cricket in Australia, with the high school graduate signing to the ACT Meteors in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL).
Her efforts on the pitch put her in the international spotlight, following the Lanning vs Perry Series and Under-19 National Championships last year, where the Australian Women’s Squad scouted her out.
The tour will provide players with an opportunity to prepare to play in the 2025 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
When Hunter received the call from her ACT Meteors coach saying she got selected, she was beyond excited.
“I definitely cried. It was my week off from cricket in Canberra, so I was back at home in Queensland having a bit of a holiday when my coach started ringing me,” she said.
“At first, I was a bit like, ‘Why is my coach ringing me on my week off?’ but I answered it, and it was her telling me the news, saying she had received an email from the international team coach saying I was in.
“I tried to hold back the tears, but I wasn’t really successful – I really wasn’t expecting it.”
Hunter’s teammate Grace Lyons was also selected to be a part of the tour, alongside many women who she has played with throughout her years.
This is her first time playing on an international level, and she said despite feeling nervous, she is looking forward to learning from players across the world and fostering strong bonds with her new teammates.
“I know most of the girls from when I played at state competitions over the past few years, which is good, and it will be good to get to know them more and bond a bit more,” she said.
Hunter has been known for her all-round talent on the pitch but believes her bowling talents are what makes her a top cricketer.
She said training has already ramped back up in preparation for her first game against Sri Lanka.
“We have just finished up the WNCL season, so training was meant to be slowing down, but since I’ve received the call, it's definitely time to ramp things back up,” she said.
“I think I am going to focus mainly on bowling fast and making sure I am confident in myself when I am away.”
From the first day she picked up the bat, Hunter said it was her parents who stood by her and supported her to become an international player.
She said she owes her success to her parents, as well as Atherton Cricket Club’s Tony Potts and Queensland Cricket coach Tony Hampton.
“I had no idea how my parents have done it over the years. They sacrificed so much for me so I could play,” she said.
“(Potts) has been alongside me the whole way as my junior coach, when I was just 11 or 12 playing the boy's team. He has stuck by me and held me accountable every day since then.
“(Hampton) travelled up from Townsville, did a lot of work with me, and helped me get there. I am very, very lucky.”
Team coach Kristen Beams said she was keen to take the under 19s girls to Sri Lanka to enhance their skills in preparation for the Women’s T20 World Cup.
She said this opportunity would challenge the young players, fostering their on-field abilities and nurturing their leadership skills.
“The series in Sri Lanka will give the squad the chance to play in a multi-format series and challenge them to adapt to different conditions,” she said.
“The T20 matches will provide the squad with a great development opportunity ahead of the Under-19 T20 World Cup and we're also excited about the 50-over matches.
“We are also looking to give players a chance to develop their leadership skills across the series.”
HUNTER’S SCHEDULE:
– T20 Series
28 March: Sri Lanka v Australia
29 March: Australia v England
1 April: Sri Lanka v Australia
2 April: Australia v England
– One-Day Series
5 April: Sri Lanka v Australia
7 April: Australia v England
