Shepparton cricketing prodigy Mia Earl is ready to perform only a few days out from Carlton’s Premier Women’s Cricket under-18 grand final on Monday.
The young medium-pace bowler has been a constant feature of the First XI side and the under-18 team, taking 19 wickets across 21 matches with an average of 24.63. Not bad for an 18-year-old.
Earl said she was a consistent line and length bowler who could generate ball movement early in the innings.
The Old Students product hopes to play a significant role in Carlton’s grand final against Melbourne Cricket Club as she looks to present herself as one of Victoria’s brightest young talents.
“It will definitely be a good match-up against Melbourne,” she said.
“Melbourne always have a strong side and we always have a good rivalry with them. Both teams have some very talented young girls, so it will be a very even match, I reckon.”
Living in Shepparton, the constant driving to and from Carlton can be demanding, according to Earl, but she believes the opportunity to play against some of the best cricketers in the state is well worth the two-hour drive up and down the Goulburn Valley Hwy.
“Carlton is a great club; I love it up there,” she said.
“It is quite demanding being from the country and travelling there for training and game day.
“Every weekend I travel on Sunday and sometimes I have to stay down there on a Saturday night. Then I travel down every Wednesday for training.
“I have found it really cool playing the likes of Georgia Prestwidge, Olivia Henry, your Vic players, and even on my team we have had a girl get called up into the Australian Ones team. Just playing alongside and against that elite-level cricketer and testing myself against them has been really good.”
Meanwhile, young Echuca prodigy and Premier Cricket star Grace Moyle will captain Carlton in Monday’s grand final.
Moyle is coming into the match in great form after smoking 96 from 120 balls in Carlton’s last under-18 match against Box Hill.
Carlton will be hoping to secure the under-18 flag after making it through the five-match season undefeated (four wins, one no result).