Caoimhe Bray has welcomed comparisons to superstar Ellyse Perry as the 15-year-old prodigy prepares for a possible WBBL debut this summer.
A goalkeeper for the Junior Matildas and gifted allrounder on the cricket pitch, Bray has signed a three-year deal to complete the Sydney Sixers' roster after announcing herself in the recent Spring Challenge.
She took five wickets across four games at the tournament including that of in-form Brisbane Heat batter Laura Harris.
The signing continues a whirlwind rise for Bray, who will move into the Sixers' shared digs for overseas players for the upcoming season while completing her year nine schooling online
Bray's early rise to the elite level of the game, capabilities with bat and ball and penchant for both football and cricket have garnered early comparisons to Sixers teammate Perry.
Perry made her Australian debut as a 16-year-old and later became the first person to represent Australia at both cricket and football World Cups.
Bray shrugged at suggestions being likened to sporting royalty could come with pressure.
"I love it. Ellyse Perry's definitely been a role model of mine since I was very, very young," she said.
"I think if you ask all my primary school friends, every school project was about her, that's for sure.
"I don't think it's anything like scary or overwhelming being compared to her because she's such a great person and I just love that people are even saying it."
Bray made her international football debut with the Junior Matildas at the Under 17's Women's Asia Cup earlier this year and insisted she would not forgo football now that she had signed on at the Sixers.
"I'm still playing soccer," she said.
"I want to keep doing them both for as long as I can and I think this WBBL contract isn't going to stop me from playing soccer."
Bray has already begun to make an impression on her more seasoned Sixers teammates.
"She comes with raw pace talent and this excitement to learn," said Test quick Lauren Cheatle.
"She's always smiling and happy to be around the group. Her future is extremely bright."
