The Coffs Harbour youngster has turned her attention on the big move to the nation’s capital. Photos: Supplied by Cricket ACT.
Matilda Lugg was just an 18-year-old student focusing on her HSC studies when a phone call took her by surprise and flipped her life upside down.
The call was from ACT Meteors coach James Allsopp, offering the young wicket-keeper a one-year contract for the 2018-19 Women’s National Cricket League season.
Lugg admitted she was taken by surprise when Allsopp came calling and can’t remember much of the conversation.
“I really didn’t have too many expectations as I was so focussed on the HSC and a season playing in Ireland ahead of me, so when James called I certainly wasn’t expecting him to offer me a contract and was a bit shocked,” Lugg said.
“I don’t really remember what he was saying a whole lot because I was so excited and was trying to act a bit cool at the same time.”
The Coffs Harbour youngster has now turned her attention on the big move to the nation’s capital and starting her career as a professional cricketer.
“I’m really looking forward to dedicating myself to cricket at a professional level and seeing how much I can improve my game.”
“Over the last few years, the women’s game has really taken off, so as a young cricketer it’s been really motivating being able to watch more games on the TV and having those players to look up to.
“I still can’t really believe the opportunities that are out there for female cricketers and that you can make a career out of doing something you love. I’m really looking forward to meeting lots of new people and getting to know the whole team, both players and support staff, really well,”she said.
ACT Meteors coach James Allsopp believes the up-and-coming wicketkeeper/batswoman will be a great addition to the Meteors side.
“Matilda is an exciting young player who has performed consistently well for ACT/NSW Country under age teams at the national championships over the past few seasons,” Allsopp said.
“She is an outstanding character and the heart and soul of all teams that she represents which is a trait of all the great wicket-keepers within Australian cricket.
“She will work well with Erica Kershaw and challenge one another for that wicket-keeping spot.”
Lugg graduated from the NSW pathway program and formed a name for herself playing for NSW/ACT Country at the National Under 18 Championships as well as North Coastal in the McDonalds Women’s Country Championships.
Lugg most recently represented NSW/ACT Country at the 2017-18 Under 18 National Championships where she took the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper/fielder and was also named player of the final at the last Country Championships.
Lugg is currently playing in Ireland for the Typhoons in the Toyota Super 3’s Series and for Merrion in the Leinster Women’s League where Lugg scored an unbeaten 107 on debut earlier this month.
Abode Hotels ACT Meteors Playing Squad | Erin Osborne, Angela Reakes, Hayley Jensen, Nicola Hancock, Katie Mack, Claire Koski, Erin Burns, Erica Kershaw, Matilda Lugg, Maitlan Brown, Clara Iemma, Samantha Bates, Zoe Cooke.
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