Maddy, the 12-year-old daughter of Justin and Kerry Spence and a pupil of Middleton Public School in 2018, was representing NSW PSSA for the second year after having represented in 2017 at Barooga NSW.

Maddy had to attend a state training camp at Raby, Campbelltown from December 5 to 7. At the completion of the three days of training, she was presented her Baggy Blue by Hannah Trethewy and Brett Lee.

While representing NSW in Bunbury the match results were:

13/12/18 – NSW 6/103 (Maddy 13n.o including a 4, off 10 balls) defeated VIC 10/75 (Maddy 1/5 off 2 overs). 20/20 game.

14/12/18 – ACT 9/59 (Maddy 1/0 off 1 over) lost to NSW 0/60. 20/20 game.

14/12/18 – NSW 4/127 (Maddy 3 runs off 4 balls) defeated WA 8/76. 20/20 game.

16/12/18 – NSW 6/144 (Maddy 17n.o including a 6, off 22 balls) defeated SA 9/71 (Maddy 0/2 off 2 overs). 30 overs a side game.

17/12/18 – NSW 6/144 (Maddy 4 runs off 12 balls) defeated QLD 8/128 (Maddy 1/10 off 4 overs). 30 overs a side game.

19/12/18 – Grand Final – NSW 5/156 (Maddy 0n.o off 0 balls) defeated QLD 8/95 (Maddy 0/15 off 3 overs). 30 overs a side game.

Maddy and her family had a wonderful time in Western Australia. When not playing cricket they got to visit the local beaches, where they interacted with dolphins at Koombana Bay and see sharks at Hungry Hollow Beach. They also visited Bunbury Wildlife Park, Busselton Jetty, Margaret River, Lake Cave and see Giant Karri trees.

Maddy said she thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the experience of playing in the championships in Western Australia.

After returning triumphant from the School Sports Australia Carnival, the NSW PSSA teams were invited to be presented with their championship winners gold medal (girls) and bronze medal (boys) prior to the start of play on Day 2 of the Australia v India Pink Test Match at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Both teams lined up on the playing field of the SCG in front of the members stand to receive their medallions from former NSW and Australian cricket star Brett Lee. Brett’s son Preston was the captain of the boys NSW PSSA team at Bunbury.

READ MORE: ​Women and women’s cricket in the spotlight on Pink Stumps Day | Photos

From January 14-17, Orange District Junior Cricket Association held their annual Western NSW Junior U/15 Boys and Girls Cricket Carnivals.

Maddy was a member of the Western Zone Girls team that went through undefeated over the four days:

14/01/19 – Penrith 10/25 (Maddy 1/0 off 4 balls as well as a catch) lost to Western 3/26 off 14 overs (Maddy 10 runs off 10 balls).

15/01/19 – Western 6/109 in 40 overs (Maddy 29 runs including 4 fours) defeated Gordon Red 10/101 in 39 overs (Maddy 2/17 off 6 overs as well as a direct hit run out and a catch).

16/01/19 – Western 9/163 in 40 overs(Maddy 20n.o) defeated Gordon Blue 10/87 in 39 overs (Maddy 1/4 off 2 overs and a catch).

17/01/19 – Gordon Red 9/101 in 40 overs (Maddy 3/11 off 6 overs) lost to Western 5/102 in 36 overs (Maddy 5 runs from 3 balls).

READ MORE: Maddison Spence awarded Ron Harrison Sports Bursary during Australia Day ceremony

Maddy was selected in the Country Thunder Team to represent at the Inaugural Cricket NSW Girls U/13 State Challenge.

The state challenge was played in Wellington on January 22-23 and consisted of four 20/20 games over the two days.

Game 1 – Metro Thunder 3/69 (Maddy bowled 0/1 off 2 overs) lost to Country Thunder 4/70 (Maddy 6n.o with a four).

Game 2 – Country Thunder 9/83 (Maddy 6 runs) lost to Metro Sixers 5/84 (Maddy 1/8 off 2 overs).

Game 3 – Country Sixers 9/61 (Maddy 0/11 off 2 overs) lost to Country Thunder 5/62 (Maddy did not bat).

Game 4 – Metro Sixers 7/82 (Maddy did not bowl) defeated Country Thunder 10/52.

All girls had a wonderful time at this first state challenge. Here’s hoping it becomes an annual fixture for girls cricket.

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