Jawoyn off-spinner Ella Hayward receives national call-up for Under 19 World Cup

Callan Morse Published December 14, 2022 at 1.00pm (AWST)

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Hayward celebrates the wicket of Sammy-Jo Johnson during a WBBL|08 match against the Sydney Thunder. Image: Steve Bell/Getty Images.

Jawoyn cricketer Ella Hayward has been selected in Australia's first female Under 19 World Cup squad.

The 19 year-old allrounder who represents Victoria in the Women's National Cricket League and plays for the Melbourne Renegades in the Women's Big Bash League is one of 15 players selected to represent Australia at the inaugural tournament.

After first making her professional debut for Victoria in 2020, the off-spinner has become a WBBL regular for the Renegades, playing in 11 of a possible 14 matches in the recently completed WBBL|08 season.

Although only taking six wickets across her 10 spells, Hayward's bowling consistency was evident throughout the tournament.

10 overs, 3/13.
Ella Hayward everybody 👏#vicsdoitbetter pic.twitter.com/WKYkW8EAlC
— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) March 10, 2022

Her bowling economy rate of just 6.09 runs per over across her 33 tournament overs ranking her second in economy, just 0.3 runs per over behind fellow Australian Under 19 team-mate, Hobart Hurricanes off-spinner Amy Smith.

However it was at the recently completed Female Under 19 National Championships where Hayward showed her all-round ability with both bat and ball.

Batting in the top order for Victoria Metro, she compiled tournament high 385 runs at a healthy average of 77, highlighted by back-to-back unbeaten centuries against the Australian Capital Territory (106*) and Tasmania (156*) in Rounds 4 and 5 of the tournament.

She also picked up six wickets across 43 overs during the tournament at an impeccable economy rate of just 2.69 runs per over.

Hayward's batting prowess at this year's Female Under 19 National Championships earned her the leading run scorer award. Image: supplied, Cricket Australia.

Hayward is one of eight World Cup squad members with professional cricket experience in either the WBBL or WNCL, with Rhys McKenna (Victoria/Melbourne Stars), Claire Moore (New South Wales), Jade Allen (New South Wales), Lucy Hamilton (Queensland/Brisbane Heat), Chris Bekker (Western Australia/Perth Scorchers) and Ella Wilson (South Australia/Adelaide Strikers) joining Hayward in the squad.

The team will travel to South Africa for next month's inaugural Under 19 Women's World Cup, with group stage matches fixtures against Bangladesh, the United States of America and Sri Lanka before the knockout semi-final stage.

Australia Under 19 World Cup Squad

Chloe Ainsworth, Jade Allen, Charis Bekker, Paris Bowdler, Maggie Clark, Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Ella Hayward, Milly Illingworth Eleanor Larosa, Rhys McKenna, Claire Moore, Kate Pelle, Amy Smith, Ella Wilson.

Australia Under 19 World Cup Fixture

Australia v Bangladesh, January 14 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, 10am local (7pm AEDT)

Australia v USA, January 16 at Willowmoore Park B, Benoni, 1.45pm local (10.45pm AEDT)

Australia v Sri Lanka, January 18 at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, 10am local (7pm AEDT)

Semi-finals: January 27 at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 10am & 1.45pm local (7pm & 10.45pm AEDT)

Final: January 29 at JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 1.45pm local (10.45pm AEDT)