By Tara Murray
Westmeadows’ gun cricketer Danielle Linton is prepared to give anything a go.
When she was asked to play cricket last season, despite not having played since in the backyard as a kid, Linton said ‘why not’.
She dominated the competition last season, including taking out the Victoria Turf Cricket Association women’s best and fairest, and is back again this season.
This time she’s taken on the extra role of co-coach with Matty Walker.
Linton said when she was asked to coach, it was a challenge she was willing to take on.
“Having more responsibility means a few more nerves, but I’m excited at the same time.
“When Sonja Viehl got appointed at Greenvale in a bigger role, our president Jeff [Hubbard] had a conversation with me to see if I was interested or not in coaching.
“I’m inexperienced in cricket, so I said I would need to have some guidance, but I’m always up for a challenge.”
Walker isn’t new to the Warriors set-up, having helped out with the side last year.
He also coached the Westmeadows women’s football side, which featured several cricketers including Linton.
Linton said they were trying to convince some of the football girls to switch sports for the summer.
“Myself and sister [Nat Linton] and a couple of others have been in their ears trying to get them to come and join us,” she said. “If they’re not playing they will come and support us.”
Linton said they were looking at fielding two teams this season. Last season they started with one team, but ended the season with two.
The top team will play in the VTCA competition, while the second side will play in the new North West Metropolitan Cricket Association competition.
Linton said they were looking for players for both sides and hoped to get enough so players didn’t have to double up.
“We’ve definitely got numbers for at least one team, and we’ve entered two teams.
“We’re not looking for superstar players, we’re looking for any one who wants to have a game.”
Having made the grand final in the first side and personally had a great season, Linton said last season would be hard to top.
“We started last season just hoping to win a match. Half way through we thought we were a chance to make the grand final and that was absolutely amazing.”
The Warriors are also hoping to have an under-13 girls team.
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Tara Murray
