Sienna Ryan & Chloe Ainsworth after their selection in the Cricket Australia squad.

“It’s been a privilege to represent WA in the last two tours this year and an honour to be selected in the CA XI squad. It has been a heap of fun and a real learning experience.” – Chloe Ainsworth

“Future stars” are the words that come to mind when we hear these three names – Chloe Ainsworth, Sienna Ryan and Shay Manolini.

These Cricket Mentoring athletes represented Western Australia over the last two weeks in the U15 National Championships in Canberra, which was won by the Queensland girls. The tournament involved a series of T20 and One day matches and while WA only managed the two wins over their 8 outings, the experience they gained will no doubt be a crucial part of their development for the future.

This tournament has capped off a simply incredible year for Ainsworth who also represented WA at the U18 National Championships. Across all age groups and formats this season, she has amassed a total of 807 runs at an average of 38.43 as well has collecting 39 wickets along the way including a best bowling performance of 6-10 for her club Melville. Her fantastic performances at the carnival (190 runs, 9 wickets) has earned her selection in the Cricket Australia squad which was announced at the closing of the tournament.

Another member of that CA squad is Sienna Ryan. Sienna is also capping off a great all-round season having 318 runs so far along with 22 wickets with a best bowling performance of 5-12. At the National Championships, Ryan was a crucial member of the team with the ball taking 8 wickets at an average of 18.5 which is a huge effort in the shorter formats of the game. Her best figures of 5-12 against Tasmania shows that she is one to look out for in the future!

Shay Manolini was nothing short of impressive over the two weeks. The leg spinner has been putting in the hard yards with our spin bowling mentor Ryan James in recent times and her tournament results reflect that. With an average of just 13.78, Manolini was a consistent performer for WA taking 9 wickets including 3-16 (v Tasmania in final match) and 2-6 (v Tasmania in match 3). She just missed out on CA selection but has made huge progress and will no doubt be in many representative squads throughout her career.

The Cricket Australia squad will compete in the U18 National Championships later this year which will be a great test for the girls but one they will both be ready for.

CM head mentor Tom Scollay said this after he found out Sienna & Chloe had been selected: “We were following their scores closely each day and were in regular contact with the girls and their parents. Doing well at the carnival is validation of all the hard work they’ve put in over the past few years. All three girls have been developing their skills and games nicely and they would have learned so much at this tournament competing against the best girls of their age group from around the country. While it’s nice to do well, it’s just another part of their journey and development. For Chloe and Sienna to be selected in the CA squad and Shay to be close, is very exciting and not just a reward for what they did at the carnival but also exciting for what’s to come as they have been identified as future stars. We’re very proud of their efforts and look forward to continuing to mentor these rising stars and helping them on their road to success.”