TALENTED 15-year-old Rachel Trenaman will create a slice of Wagga cricket history on Saturday when she makes her first grade debut.
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Wagga City have named Trenaman for their important showdown with South Wagga at McPherson Oval.
Trenaman is a rising star of women’s cricket and with a rare weekend at home free of representative commitments, Wagga City have promoted her to first grade.
Wagga City president Owen Thompson said it was something the club had been looking to do all season.
“She’s made runs and taken wickets in second grade and we’ve been eyeing it off all season, really, but we’ve never got the opportunity to do it,” Thompson said.
“With all her rep commitments, I think she played three weekends before Christmas, the rest of the time she’s either been in Sydney training, the BBL, or NSW state commitments.”
It has already been a big season for Trenaman, who created history in November when she became the youngest player to debut for NSW Breakers in the Women’s National Cricket League.
She will now create history on the local front. It is unsure whether she is the first female to play first grade Wagga cricket, but she will undoubtedly be the youngest one to do so.
Thompson, like many others, is a huge fan of Trenaman.
“She bats in the first grade net with confidence now and can handle that,” he said.
“She bowls in the nets and lands it on the spot consistently, and in the field, her old man (Scott) was a state baseballer so she can throw it in from the boundary as good as any of the blokes.
“She’s a real talent.”
The Cats are also wary of putting Trenaman under too much pressure. While she has performed well in limited second grade appearances, it is another step up going into first grade.
“We understand that and we’re certainly not going to make her open,” Thompson said.
“She will bat in the higher end of the lower order.
“Probably the biggest thing will be that she’s obviously not going to be as strong as the guys, but she’s got all of the shots. They just won’t go as far as others do.
“We’ll find a spot where we can use her at. We’ve been looking for the opportunity to introduce her to it and she’s keen on it as well.”
Wagga City will be without Aaron Maxwell, Max Harper and Harry Rosengren for the clash, while South Wagga will be missing Mitch Sykes, Grant Forrest and Blake Harper.
Talented teen Nat Mooney will make his first grade debut for South Wagga.