Promising Officer cricketer Courtney Neale isn’t afraid to reach for the stars. 88542. Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS
By RUSSELL BENNETT
OFFICER cricket prodigy Courtney Neale can’t quite explain how she bowls so well.
“I don’t know much about how you’re supposed to do it,” said the right-arm pace bowler.
“It just comes naturally.
“I just run up, take a step and bowl with a straight arm.”
But there’s something to that seemingly simple action. The 14-year-old was recently selected to represent the Victorian under-15 side at the Australian championships in Sydney next month.
Though Courtney admits her line and length still needs work, and she’s prone to backing away to fast bowling with the willow in her hand, she has an X-factor that’s obvious to all who watch her play.
She was just 11 when she started playing as the only girl in the Officer under-13s. She was vice-captain that year, and this year – when she isn’t playing for the South Eastern Sharks representative side or for the Pakenham Upper women in the Victorian Women’s Cricket Association – she’s a co-captain of her local junior side.
Still in just her fourth season, Courtney was invited through the Sharks to try out for the Victorian side earlier this year. Training was at the indoor cricket nets in the bowels of the MCG.
Was she nervous at the prospect of playing at Melbourne’s home of cricket?
“Once you think about it, you’re like whoa, I’m here … this is crazy,” she said.
“But once you’re actually playing you don’t think about it.”
Though she’s yet to even play on a turf wicket, Courtney is looking forward to making the most of her chance in the Victorian side.
She is learning from the best of the best in the state system and will soon compete against teams from all around the country.
And the St Margaret’s student knows the importance of maintaining a professional approach to her sport.
“(The coaches) look for team work and the support we show each other during training – not just for our physical approach but our mental approach as well,” she said.
“And we have to take ice baths and watch our food intake.
“They said if you don’t take responsibility, you’re out and they’ll find someone else.”
But Courtney relishes the responsibility and the chance she’s been given. She’s not afraid to admit she dreams of playing for Australia, and at the rate she is going now there’s every chance that dream will come true.
