Female cricketers keen to crack in

The Warragul and District Cricket Association will be kicking off its first dedicated women's and girls competitions this summer - and they're on the hunt for interested players.
Having taken steps towards the introduction of female cricket last year courtesy of the competition's first all girls team, 2027 will be the year they finally get female-only competitions off the ground.
Four teams are already raring to go in the women's, which will take the form of an eight round competition beginning in November - four before Christmas and four after - as well as a special showcase T10 round robin tournament.
Matches will be played on Tuesday nights and aim to provide an inclusive environment for all players, including anyone who's never picked up a bat or ball before.
Smaller boundaries and a maximum of seven balls per over, regardless of no balls, are a few of the modified rules. The schedule will also be accommodating for mothers, working around events like school holidays.
The juniors were just recently given the green light for an under 13s league and will begin in late October, using a format that lets players learn as they go, including fewer fielders, more batting rotations and the chance to give every position a go.
Newly elected WDCA women's president Laura Croft said it was important for the new competition's first season to make things as smooth as possible for new players.
"We want people who haven't played before to feel like they're welcome," she said.
"It'll be good to get the gist of the league and the area and get it started. It's all a bit unknown at the moment."
Croft and the rest of her committee are aiming to emulate the successful Cricket Latrobe Valley female cricket competition, which began in the 2021/22 season and has gone from strength to strength since.
A passionate player for much of her life, the chance to get female cricket up and running in Baw Baw is an exciting one for Croft.
"It's been a long time coming for the area. It's about time we catch up."
Croft and the committee also gave thanks to the Baw Baw Shire for their $3200 grans, helping them purchase startup equipment for clubs entering teams into the junior competition.
Following a "good response" to initial calls, the competition is continuing to put the call out for players to get involved.
To that end a special junior girls come and try clinic will be held at Drouin Cricket Club on Sunday 20 September from 10am-11am.
A boys clinic will follow from 11am-12pm.
Any parents keen to get their kids involved in the clinic can message 0409 797 701.
To register expressions of interest for the women's or girls competitions reach out to wdcafemale@gmail.com