REPRESENTING South Australia at the national level as a bottom ager, young Mildura cricketer Makenzie Holy recently bowled her way to a baggy green.
Despite finishing seventh overall as a team, the 14-year-old leg spinner claimed 12 wickets, the most for her team and fourth highest in the tournament.
The former Nichols Point player averaged a wicket every 14.75 runs and featured in every game for South Australia on path to her selection in the Australian team of the tournament.
“It’s the highest level of competition that I’ve played in,” Holy said.
“I really enjoyed myself playing, I learnt a lot, and getting that baggy green meant a lot.
“It felt like all the hard work finally paid off and I feel as though my team mates and coaches helped me to achieve that.”
Father Dan Holy was incredibly proud of his daughter, and said her selection and subsequent achievement was a testament to her hard work.
“She works incredibly hard and trains six days a week,” he said.
“Growing up, she sort of learnt a lot by playing backyard cricket with her brother, who also loves the sport.”
A leg spinner is undoubtedly an asset to any team and Mr Holy was grateful that access to good coaching had enabled Mackenzie to persist with her natural game.
“A cricket Victoria coach that said to me, no mate, if you can bowl leg spin naturally, let it go, don’t try and push for pace bowling,” Mr Holy said.’
Holy said when she first started playing cricket, she wasn’t aware that she bowled leg spin until her brother and father pointed it out.
Attending school at Henley High in South Australia, Holy has also been playing for West Torrens in the South Australia Cricket Association.
In limited overs, Holy has been effective for the Eagles division two team, who are third in the standings with a record of 4-2.
