GIRLS FIND-A-FAST-BOWLER WINNER – KIMLI MCDONALD OF PEMBROKE CC

After a successful week of training for up-and-coming female fast bowlers, 20 hopefuls took part in the inaugural Find a Fast Bowler for girls competition on Friday last.

Bowlers were invited to take part in one of two fast bowling masterclasses earlier in the week led by 2021 Samuels Cup winner Jack Carty and Ireland fast bowler Georgina Dempsey. The girls learned warm up and strength drills to improve their stability and strength that could aid their fast bowling, as well as advice about mindset. The level of improvement that could be seen over a short period of time was great to see, and the desire from the bowlers to improve their pace was evident.

After a few days of poor weather, it was a relief to see the sun make an appearance on Friday. The girls were first put through some warm up and technique drills by some of Ireland’s premier fast bowlers; David Delany, Orla Prendergast and Sue O’Neill with Ed Joyce also looking on.

The bowlers were then given the opportunity to bowl with freedom and try to bowl as quickly as possible with the judges continuing to offer advice and support. All of the participants also had their speed measured with speed guns, kindly loaned by one of Cricket Leinster’s generous sponsors - our thanks to BUAKIT Sportswear for their continued support.

At the end of the session, the players were given the opportunity to ask the judges questions about their own experiences before the winner was decided on. The winning bowler, who will receive a generous voucher from Ed Sports, was decided upon based on a number of criteria including the improvement shown over the week as well as during the session, and the scope to continue to improve and continue to add pace.

It was a difficult decision where six possible winners were discussed, but the deserving winner is Kimli McDonald from Pembroke Cricket Club. Congratulations to Kimli from everyone at Cricket Leinster and thanks to all of our volunteers for giving up their time to make the sessions so valuable for our up-and-coming pace bowlers.