IT wasn’t the first time she’s taken a five-wicket haul, but for Mildura East’s Taya Higgins, taking the figures in a predominantly male competition was certainly a sweet feeling.
Playing in the under 16s boys competition, Higgins claimed 5/24 in a match against Irymple last weekend.
As one of only a handful of girls playing in the competition, the 17-year-old described her feat as “thrilling, unexpected and a bit of a shock”.
“I was trying to outswing it just a little, but aiming pretty much for the same spot,” Higgins said.
“Then I’d change it and try and in-swing in the same spot, which was at the top of off stump.
“Some of it comes down to luck, really.”
While the under 16s team was unable to secure a finals berth this season, East’s senior women’s team, which Higgins has played for all season, narrowly made it through and will meet Mildura West on Friday night.
Higgins said the shorter format and technique was quite different between the two competitions.
Although she identifies as a bowler, the Mildura Senior College student credited her father, Brett, for helping her improve with the bat this season.
“Dad and I have been working on my batting, especially in the backyard has helped quite a bit,” Higgins said.
“I used to be all over the place, now it’s much more controlled.”
In the Twenty-20 format, Higgins has averaged a respectable 24.8 runs per game and with the ball, she’s taken at least one wicket in eight out of ten games.
Stints with renowned clubs Essendon Maribyrnong Park and West Torrens have given the young bowler a taste of higher cricket competition.
While she’d be happy to return to either club, Higgins said firstly, they’d need to want her back and secondly, like many her age, future plans were undecided.
Also a keen netballer for Mildura, Higgins said she thoroughly enjoyed both sports, but gave a slight edge to one.
“I enjoy both, I like to push myself and train hard for both,” she said.
“They’re two different environments and levels of competitiveness.
“Cricket, you’re here to win but there’s also a lot of time where you get to hang out, relax and have a good time.”
Mildura East and Mildura West will face off at John Hall Oval on Friday at 5.30pm, while Coomealla Point and Mildura Settlers will play in Coomealla at the same time.
