Dumfries and Galloway teenagers Niamh Muir and Orla Montgomery have been selected to represent Scotland at the first Women’s U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa.
Niamh, aged 17, and 18-year-old Orla (both pictured) will travel to Johannesburg with the team on January 2 to prepare for the games which are held between January 7 and 24.
Both cricket players represented Scotland in Netherlands at the World Cup qualifiers in August where the team won all three games and qualified for the World Cup in South Africa.
Orla, who plays for Dumfries Cricket Club, said: “I am absolutely excited to be selected for South Africa, it will be an opportunity of a lifetime. A month away is a long time but I’m looking forward to experiencing it.
“I have been in the Scotland set up for nearly six years now and have been training hard and travelling over two hours to get to most training sessions.
“I think what set me apart from others looking for selection is the fact I am the fastest bowler in Scotland so hopefully that will help benefit the team.
“I have been playing cricket since I was around five or six as my big brother used to play and he got me involved. Dumfries Cricket Club is a great club and have supported me and helped me get to this stage.”
Niamh began her sport journey in 2019 when she joined St Michael’s Cricket Club. She combines it with Sunday games in the Woman’s Premier League for Dumfries and Galloway Scorchers and dedicates various Sundays to play in the Super Series.
She said: “To be able to say that we are the first female cricket team to represent Scotland in a World Cup is a great honour. We all have been training since our return from the Netherlands which has helped us become a strong all rounded team. To be part of this set up is an amazing feeling and something that we will all never forget.
“As we are a smaller nation in cricketing terms there is no pressure on us at all. We all have a positive mindset and have been training hard for this. We haven’t been playing many games against other nations so no other nation knows what we can do and the level we play at. This will come as a surprise to many of our opponents and we, as a unit, expect to take some major scalps throughout the tournament. We are there to make new friends, enjoy ourselves and just show what we can do.”
Niamh’s mum, Gail Muir, added: “We are all so excited and happy for Niamh. She got a phone call last Friday and she was so overwhelmed with the news.
“She worked really hard for it and we are very proud of her.”
The tournament is made up of 16 teams split into groups of four.
Scotland will feature in group D alongside India, South Africa and the UAE.
The top three teams from each group will then progress to the Super Six round, which will consist of two groups of six.
If Scotland qualifies, they will move to Group One which will comprise of three teams, each from Groups A and D.
The semi-finals on January 27 will consist of the top two teams from each group and the final will be played at the same venue on January 29.
Gordon Drummond, head of performance pathway, said: “This is an amazing opportunity for our U19s Women to participate in the first-ever Women’s U19s World Cup.
“It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work from the players, clubs, schools, parents and CS staff over the last few years in developing the women’s and girls’ games in Scotland, and I am hopeful that this group will continue to showcase and develop the sport in Scotland.
“The group’s performances in the qualifiers were exceptional and we are all excited about their potential leading into the World Cup.
“Hopefully, the squad, staff and families can enjoy the occasion as they are fantastic tournaments to be part of.”
Peter Ross, Women’s U19 head coach, said: “It is a hugely exciting time ahead for this U19 Scotland Women squad as they prepare for the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
“They will have the privilege of being the first Scottish female cricket team to ever participate in a World Cup and that is something which they can be proud of forever.
“It is scheduled to be a brilliant tournament that will provide a number of opportunities for these players to learn more about themselves as people and as developing cricketers.
“I am confident that, if they can continue to play with that same style and mindset, they will showcase how good a team they are and will play some really exciting cricket.”
