At just 18 years of age Hay cricket sensation Jodie Hicks has been signed to play for the Sydney Sixers in the women’s Big Bash League.
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Her selection comes after she toured Sri Lanka as part of the Cricket NSW female development earlier this year; the Sydney Sixers’ coach saw her in action on the tour.
The Twenty20 competition will be right up her alley.
“I love the intensity of the game, how you have to be focused all the time, and the big shots,” Hicks said.
NSW took out the equivalent competition last season, and Hicks rates their chances this season.
“I think we have a pretty good chance of winning, we have a dominant side with Ellyse Perry, Lisa Sthalekar and Alyssa Healy,” Hicks said.
The series comprises of 14 games for the Sydney Sixers, including two televised matches.
“It’s pretty exciting, I’ve never played on telly before,” Hicks said.
While her supporters in Hay have backed her all the way, Hicks is nervous about the coverage.
“I hope they don’t judge too harshly,” she said.
Hicks will move from Canberra to Randwick for the opportunity of a lifetime.
While the Sixers will provide a bit of pocket money, Hicks will still have to find a job to pay the rent; the reality of women’s sport in Australia.
Hicks has starred at junior representative level for ACT/NSW Country and in January she was selected to be in a Cricket Australia U/18 Honour squad.
A talented batter and medium pace bowler, Hicks’ sporting ability is certainly not limited to the cricket pitch; she recently played AFL for the Melbourne Demons.
Like every elite sportsperson she has dreams of playing for Australia, but her goals for the year are a little more realistic.
“I think I’d like to achieve a really solid year, I’d like to be happy with myself with the bat and ball, and learn off the older girls.”