From Nichols Point to national spotlight

A FORMER Sunraysia cricketing prodigy is aiming to put her opponents in a spin on the national stage.

Makenzie Holy, formerly of Nichols Point Cricket Club, will line up for South Australia for the under-16 girls Cricket Australia National Carnival in Hobart, beginning January 18.

The 14-year-old dual sport athlete relocated to Adelaide at the beginning of 2023 to pursue her passion for cricket and soccer, and is already a regular member of the West Torrens first division women’s side in South Australia Premier Cricket.

The promising leg-spin bowler began her fledgling career with Nichols Point, and represented Sunraysia and Mallee Murray Suns from the age of 11.

Holy caught the eye of selectors, leading to her inclusion in the School Sport Victoria 12-and-under State team in 2021, an accomplishment celebrated with the presentation of the prestigious baggy blue cap at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

In 2022, the determined athlete embarked on a new chapter in South Australia, balancing her weekends between soccer with Fulham United FC and making her mark in the SACA Women’s second division with the Eagles.

Holy’s inaugural season earned her the title of the best bowler, setting the stage for her meteoric rise in the cricketing ranks.

At just 14 years and eight days, Holy made her first XI debut last March and impressed enough in her consequent appearances to earn a vote in the prestigious Karen Rolton Medal.

Her overall form across all grades earned her a place in the West Torrens District Cricket Club team of the year, alongside luminaries like Spencer Johnson, Jordan Buckingham and Carolyn Ward, all of whom have represented Australia or Australia A.

Holy and her South Australian teammates will face Queensland in their opening match, with an eye on making the final on Thursday, January 25.

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