FIND A FAST BOWLER COMPETITION FOR GIRLS

2021 has been a challenging year in every aspect of life, and cricket was no different. Nonetheless a huge amount of girls’ cricket took place this year, but there is one event that is yet to take place - the Find a Fast Bowler competition for Girls.

The competition was slated to take place in February but like most things at the beginning of this year, it had to be postponed. On October Friday 29^th between 2pm and 4pm at Merrion CC, Cricket Leinster invites all girls and young women between the ages of 13 and 21 from the province who are not currently a member of either the Ireland Senior or Academy sides to enter this competition to become the inaugural winner of the Find a Fast bowler competition for Girls; the winner will also receive a sports voucher for €150.00.

Speaking about it previously, Cricket Leinster Women & Girls Development Officer, Isobel Joyce said:

“What you tend to see in the girls and women’s game in this province is a sacrifice of pace for accuracy. This works well in most cricket until you get to the top level, and then the accuracy isn’t enough, you need something else to be a top-level bowler - swing, pace, turn, something to set you apart.”

“So, we wanted to do something to encourage young female players to bowl as fast as they can. There will be no batters so the emphasis is on pure pace – not accuracy or change ups. It’s not about having the perfect technique – although our coaches will be looking to give tips on this at our fast-bowling masterclasses – we’re looking for potential and a desire to get the ball down the other end in the shortest time possible. All of the other skills can be taught once the pace is there.”

The Find a Fast Bowler competition for girls is an open invitation and there is no requirement to sign up for it.

The judging panel will be as follows:

Ed Joyce, Ireland Women’s Head Coach

Orla Prendergast, Women’s International Fast Bowler

David Delany, Men’s International Fast Bowler

Susan O'Neill (formerly Bray), former Ireland Women’s International

Good luck to all participants!