Fifteen-year-old Caoimhe Bray made history with her debut for the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL as she became the youngest player to take the field in the league. With Australian cricket legend Ellyse Perry presenting her debut cap at Adelaide Oval on October 27, the moment was already unforgettable – but Bray went on to make it extraordinary, dismissing Deandra Dottin and scoring the winning runs.
In her first over, Bray faced the formidable Dottin, who recently delivered a stellar performance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with 120 runs at a blistering strike rate of 162.16, the tournament’s best. Despite conceding 15 runs in that over, Bray’s determination shone through as she nailed a perfect yorker to send the dangerously striking Dottin back to the pavilion. Reflecting on her first over, Bray said, “My first over was a bit dodgy… but pretty happy with the wicket. Think I had to redeem myself for the ones before that.”
Walking out to bat with 32 runs needed from 20 balls, facing her second ball, Bray stepped out and elegantly drove it through for four. With Bryce’s quick boundaries easing the pressure, Bray sealed the Sixers’ victory with a lofted drive over extra cover. Perry praised her young teammate, saying, “For a 15-year-old to hit a ball over extra cover to win the game is amazing… She’s a really special kid.”
Imagine being 15-year-old Caoimhe Bray and Ellyse Perry has just called you a legend!#WBBL10 pic.twitter.com/CJWpb6n5Yz
— Weber Women’s Big Bash League (@WBBL) October 27, 2024
Bray’s rapid rise in cricket has been nothing short of remarkable. Born in Denman, New South Wales, she started her journey in junior cricket at age eight, playing for her local Under-11 team. Last season, she racked up 955 runs in the NSW Under-18 Brewer Shield and finished the season with a staggering 202 off 134 balls, leading Greater Hunter Central Coast to the championship.
Selected for Australia’s Under-19 squad, she impressed with both bat and ball, scoring 84 and taking 4 for 20 in a game against New Zealand. Her debut in the Sixers’ T20 Spring Challenge squad saw her claim five wickets in four games, including the prized wicket of Laura Harris, right after Harris had smashed 102 off 46 balls. On her WBBL debut, the speed gun clocked Bray bowling at 112 kph – a testament to her powerful potential.
Bray’s talent extends beyond cricket; like her idol Perry, she’s also a standout in soccer, having represented the Junior Matildas. Despite a three-year contract with the Sixers, Bray is determined to pursue both sports. “I did get a few questions actually after I got signed for the Sixers,” she explained. “They’re like, so, are you still playing soccer? I want to keep doing them both for as long as I can, and I think this WBBL contract isn’t going to stop me from playing soccer.”
Years ago, Bray was just another fan, taking selfies with the Australian team at a T20 World Cup match. That day, she remembers being heartbroken when Perry was dismissed for a golden duck. “Ellyse Perry’s definitely been a role model of mine since I was very, very young,” Bray shared. “If you ask all my primary school friends, every school project was about her, that’s for sure. I don’t think it’s anything like scary or overwhelming being compared to her because she’s such a great person, and I just love that people are even saying it.”
Embracing the comparisons to Perry with confidence, Bray understands there’s no pressure to be perfect. “There’s not much expectation on me because I’m so young, but obviously still want to do well, and I was like, guess I’ll go for it, not many runs needed, and, yeah, went pretty well,” she said.
From dreaming of meeting her heroes to now standing alongside them, Bray’s journey has only just begun – and her debut performance hints that she’s ready to follow in her role model’s footsteps.
(Quotes sourced from ESPN)
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