Motivated McGrath ready to make her opportunity count

Growing up in Perth, McGrath’s path to professional cricket has been a combination of natural talent, hard work and an obvious love for cricket, a game she started playing from as soon as she could walk.  
 
“Cricket was always a huge part of our family from a young age, and I remember always having a bat or a ball in my hand when I was younger,” McGrath recalls. 
 
McGrath quickly progressed through the ranks, playing her junior cricket at local Club Leeming Bicton before making her way to Premier Cricket Club Melville in her early teenage years. 
 
The current Melville captain says the Club will always hold a special in her heart. 
 
“Melville has been such an amazing Club to play for and be a part of,” McGrath said. 
 
“I remember going down and watching the seniors play when I was younger and I always wanted to reach that level, so to be able to say that I’ve reached that level and now captaining the Club, it’s pretty cool.”  
 
The 20-year-old has developed into one of the finest players in the Female A Grade competition, with her top order batting and right arm off spin enabling her to regularly impact the game. 
 
McGrath’s dominance at Club level was further recognised when she was crowned the winner of the Karen Read Medal, awarded to the best female player in Premier Cricket. 
 
Across all formats, the dynamic allrounder tallied 450 runs and 30 wickets including four half-centuries, and a highest score of 80 in a victory over South Perth. 
 
“Winning the Karen Read Medal is a massive honour, I have seen the list of previous winners and there are some incredible cricketers in there, so it’s a privilege to have my name next to theirs,” McGrath said. 
 
“I am starting to feel really confident at Premier Cricket level and I am really proud of my performances this summer, hopefully I can continue on next season and be a part of team success.” 
 
A breakout season in Premier Cricket saw McGrath rewarded with a WNCL debut against Queensland in October, a day she says she will never forget. 
 
‘’Making my senior debut was extra special, “McGrath explained. 
 
“I have always wanted to play for WA, and I have worked so hard over the past few years to get that opportunity, so when Becky (Grundy) gave me the news that I was playing against Queensland, I was super excited. 

“Definitely a day that I will always cherish.” 
 
Since then, McGrath was able to maintain her spot in the senior side, playing a variety of roles across her six matches at the level. 

‘’I just wanted to come in and play my role for the team, no matter what I was asked to do,” McGrath said. 

“I was fortunate enough to get play a few different roles, including batting at number three in the Victoria games, which was amazing. 

“I probably didn’t perform exactly how I wanted to, but I know that exposure is going to make a better player in the future, so I am really happy that Becky trusted me enough to give me those opportunities.” 

As one of the younger players in the squad, McGrath praised the impact of the senior players for taking her under their wing and giving her the confidence that she could compete. 

“The playing group welcomed me straight away, and I instantly felt part of the team which put me at ease,” McGrath said. 

“Team culture is such a big focus here and that’s something I noticed straight away.  

“Becky, Pip (Chloe Piparo) and the senior girls have really instilled that in us and it’s allowed the group to become a lot closer off the field.” 

After getting a taste of WNCL cricket last summer, McGrath was rewarded with her first professional cricket contract earlier this month, and she can’t wait to repay the faith. 

“Receiving my first professional contract is very surreal,” McGrath said. 

“Becky gave me so many amazing opportunities last season and she has given me so much confidence in my own game, I can’t wait to get to work during the pre-season and take my cricket to a new level.”  

The 20-year-old is excited for the future, saying this playing group has what it takes to achieve success. 

“I know last season didn’t pan out how we would have liked, but this group is building something really special,” McGrath said. 

“We have a lot of talent in our squad, and adding Heather (Graham), Ebony (Hoskin), Maddie (White) and Ines (McKeon) into the fold is really exciting,  and I truly believe that success is just around the corner for us.” 
 
The WA Women first-to-fourth year players returned to pre-season training on Monday 19 May, with the senior players set to join them from 3 June.