Albany teenager named for WA squad

In her first season of cricket, Albany teenager Samara Williams will represent WA next month at the under-18 national female cricket championships in Ballarat.

Williams was named in the squad of 13 last week that will be coached by former Western Fury head coach Job van Bunge and includes Fury regulars Megan Banting, Piepa Cleary and Heather Graham.

After only starting to play cricket competitively earlier this year, Williams said she was excited about the opportunity to pull on the WA colours in January.

“I am very excited and nervous too,” she said. “This is my first year away with the State squad and I don’t know what to expect.

“I think I am ready for it but I have been playing with the boys and I think that has helped prepare me.”

Williams has been playing for Royals in the Albany Junior Cricket Association under-17 competition, where she has a top score of 31 with the bat.

The 16-year-old played for WA in the women’s division of the Imparja Cup tournament held in February. She played in all four fixtures for WA, top scoring with 13 in their opening game while also taking 3-32 in their third match.

Williams also played for the Rising Fury side in their WACA female A-grade Twenty20 match against Melville earlier this month, making nine runs and bowling two overs for figures of 0-12.

Currently residing in Albany having completed Year 11 at Albany Senior High School, Williams is moving to Perth in February to continue her cricketing dream and will finish her education at Aranmore Catholic College.

The talented all-rounder has been travelling to Perth during the past few weeks for regular training and will leave for Victoria with the WA team ahead of their first game on January 15.