Four Cricket Shepparton products named in Cricket Victoria emerging players program

By Aydin Payne

Aug 9, 2021

A quartet of talented juniors from the Cricket Shepparton ranks has taken the next step on its flourishing cricket career.

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Old Students product Mia Earl, Euroa's Georgia Gall and Central Park-St Brendan's duo Gemma Boyd and Arnika McGregor were recently named in Cricket Victoria's emerging players program.

Earl and Boyd were named in the under-16 program, while Gall and McGregor featured in the under-19 squad.

The state pathway program provides the opportunity for up-and-coming young players to develop their cricket in a high-level environment.

Under the guidance of high-performance coaches and professional players, members of the squad will receive expert tuition in skills acquisition and retention, strength and conditioning, and nutritional advice.

Earl's and Boyd's — who ply their trade for Carlton at Premier Cricket level — selection comes after a starring 12 months on the field.

Boyd, a gun wicketkeeper-batter, crunched a stellar 41 not out last season in Premier Thirds — while she has a high score of 55 not out.

Earl, a skilled pace bowler, collected career best figures of 4-17 while representing Cricket Shepparton at this year's country week.

“This is the first step in our female emerging players program and a key landmark for the talented young players coming through,” head of Cricket Victoria’s female emerging players program Duncan Harrison said.

“They’ll get their first taste of training in a high-performance environment and learning from players already playing at a professional level.

“The opportunity to then represent the state at a national championship offers a great reward for their hard work and based on the talent in these squads we’re expecting competition for spots to be fierce.”

McGregor and Gall made the under-19 program last year.

McGregor's career stats are telling, the classy all-rounder boasts a high-score of 59 and best figures of 4-7.

Gall, a member of WBBL outfit Melbourne Stars, has amassed 67 wickets during her bright career.

“This is a key part of the players development pathway where they’ll receive guidance and insight from elite coaches and professional players,” Harrison said.

“They’ll gain an increased understanding of their own game and how to prepare for professional cricket.”

McGregor and Gall will have the opportunity to represent Vic Country at the national championships in Perth later this year.

Meanwhile, Boyd and Earl get the chance to feature in Vic Country squads at the national championships in Canberra in January.

Meanwhile, a pair of Echuca Cricket Club talents have made the emerging players program.

All-rounder Grace Moyle and batsman Kobyn James have earned selection in the under-16 girls and under-17 boys programs, respectively.

No stranger to the big stage, Moyle is a key member of Echuca's back-to-back women's premierships.

Moyle's eye-catching representative campaign for Goulburn Murray Cricket (GMC) at the Junior Country Week carnival also made waves, compiling an unbeaten 227 runs across three games — including an unbeaten 101.

James, a member of GVBBL outfit SRP Mud Dogs, earned representative honours for the Vics this year in the Western Summer Series in January.

He also put together a fine season in the Melbourne Cricket Club top order in Victorian Premier cricket — amassing 162 runs in four games for the club’s under-16 side.

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