By Justin Flynn
Geelong and Armstrong Creek cricketer Grace Jones will train with the Melbourne Renegades WBBL squad after winning The Recruit this week.
The 18-year-old leg-spinner won the final after making her way through the initial 11 and then six and then final three in a three-part miniseries to find the best player in community cricket competitions across the state with the potential to play at a higher level.
The final episode was aired on Tuesday night July 4, but Grace knew the result beforehand.
“I actually already knew the outcome before the airing of the episode, I’d been told yesterday morning,” she said.
“But I didn’t realise how nervous I was until Helmo (coach Simon Helmot) called me to let me know the result.”
Playing for Geelong Cricket Club and Armstrong Creek Cricket Club (Men’s) in Victorian Premier Cricket and the Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association, respectively, Grace takes great pride in looking to outsmart her opponents and taking key wickets.
“I’m hoping that it is another opportunity to challenge myself, and look at how the squad prepares and conducts themselves,” Grace said.
“I’m definitely really excited, so I’m sure it (training) will be on my mind until I can get stuck into it.
“I’d like to thank and shout out, everyone at (Armstrong Creek Cricket Club) ACCC, Geelong CC, my immediate and extended family. And also, most importantly, my specialist coaches Neil Gray and Scott Lindsey, for all their support in my cricket journey up to this point.”
In addition to training with the WBBL squad for the upcoming season, Grace also received $1000 worth of Kookaburra merchandise, $2000 for her local club, a 55-inch TCL LED Smart TV and more.
