14 years on, team return to pitch

YOUNG GUN: Teenager Jessica Watkin is already playing senior men's cricket. She will be a fixture in the Wanganui women's team.

The stumps will go into the pitch to welcome the first Wanganui women's representative team in over 14 years tomorrow at Victoria Park, as the first round of the Mike Shrimpton Trophy tournament gets under way.

This new women's team will take on Hawke's Bay in the one-day game, before other matches against Taranaki and Manawatu.

A labour of love for Cricket Wanganui's Dilan Raj, he said the team had been a few years in the making and came from having developed players during the annual Wanganui Cricket Festival, held each January.

"The tournament provided a rich learning environment for the girls who have now embarked on achieving higher provincial and national goals.

"Wanganui is the smallest association to field a women's team and complete women's pathway in cricket," Raj said.

"This now completes the pathway, with Wanganui having representative teams at under 15, under 18 and women's level."

The last full Wanganui's representative women's team played in February 1999, when current Cullinane deputy principal Helen Dougherty captained a side that included her sister.

Both Dougherty siblings will be on hand tomorrow to present the caps to the new generation of Wanganui cricketers.

The 2013 captain is ex-Dutch international and Central Districts Hinds player Esther Lanser.

Raj said Lanser had developed her cricket while teaching at Wanganui High School and, even though she had previously retired from active competition, the ex-pat Wanganui player saw this as an opportunity to give back to the local game and help develop the younger talent to gain national honours.

Lanser said: "Dilan's coaching and Cricket Wanganui helped me achieve my cricketing goals.

"I have travelled the world through cricket, experienced different cultures, played with and against great teams and players, and am really grateful for that.

"Dilan didn't have to twist my arm too much for me to help Wanganui by captaining them on the field."

Lanser said the squad has a really strong nucleus, with the likes of Michelle Mitchell (Canterbury), Briar Cloak (CD) and Hester Nesbitt (CD) providing valuable experience.

At the head of the youth brigade will be 15-year-old Jessica Watkin, who has started playing Porter Hire Premier 1 cricket for the St John's Tech team this summer after dominating both girls and boys junior cricket last season.

"Jessica has high goals and Wanganui's entry into the representative arena at women's level provides a clear pathway for her," said Raj. "Lucy Stewart, Georgia Flower and Charlotte Haggas will also be looking to showcase their bowling ability to gain selection to the CD under 21 side and Hinds team."

Against Hawke's Bay, Raj said the team were happy to wear the underdog tag and were in for a learning curve.

"Last week, Hawke's Bay thrashed Manawatu, with their Otago opener Lisa Grant cracking a fiery 195.

"Wanganui will not be daunted and are focused on implementing their winter skills training into this competitive match." The game starts at 11am.

On January 13, Raj will be joined by White Ferns coach Katrina Keenan to run "Skills and Drills" sessions for primary and intermediate students.