TALENTED Mildura Settlers batswomen Shania McKinnon has been named in the Victorian Country Cricket League (VCCL) Team of the Year squad.
The consistent opener played a pivotal role in guiding the Settlers to last season’s premiership title and her individual form has now been recognised at an elite state level.
McKinnon said she was honoured to be included in the prestigious line-up.
“I’m pretty privileged, to be honest, out of a lot of girls who were selected for the VCCL Team of the Year,” she said.
“So, it’s a pretty good achievement I think.”
Making 446 runs at 223 balls was central to her selection, but McKinnon credited the backing received from those around her both on and off the pitch.
“I think I just had good support from friends, family and it was a really good atmosphere with the girls from the Settlers,” she said.
“And I think that all just contributed to how I played.”
While her form with the willow was immense, McKinnon also took eight wickets off just 18.
Her state recognition comes off the back of a premiership campaign in which McKinnon was an unstoppable force at the top of the order.
“It felt pretty good to win that, it was definitely a team effort,” she said.
“I couldn’t have done it without the girls, but it feels good that I’ve worked hard and backed myself throughout the season.”
Looking through the scope of her cricketing future, McKinnon said her focus remains on upgrading the skills in her arsenal while enjoying the game that she loves.
“I think at the moment I just want to keep playing my best game, trying to improve on the things that I struggle with, like certain things with the bat, maybe trying to focus more on them and improve,” she said.
“I just want to improve my game, get it better and better.
“I’ll keep training hard, keep having fun with the team, I really play a better game when I have good support from my team and it just for some reason makes my form a bit better.”
McKinnon will continue with Settlers going into summer, as she has her sights set on more accolades and premiership titles.
