Fourteen-year-old Daisy Hunt made her first appearance for Prestwich 3rd team on Saturday – believed to be the youngest female to play senior cricket in the club’s history.
And she marked her memorable debut with a wicket, having Harry Golland caught by Luke Prescott for 12.
The last female to play in a senior team was some 15 years ago when Victoria Ward played for the third team against Farnworth Social Circle, at the age of 16/17.
Daisy’s two overs showed a return of 1 for 10 and she scored 3 runs before she was last out.
This was no ordinary baptism for Daisy and no ordinary game for the other juniors in the side – as Clifton 3rd XI featured two Lancashire 2nd team players Sam Dorsey and Rob Lord.
But the Prestwich side, comprising of nine players under 18 and under, put up an excellent fight after Clifton set set a total of 210 for 6. Uwais Khaliq was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 for 42 from 9 overs, while skipper Karl West also grabbed two wickets.
Prestwich made a valiant reply, with 13-year-old Luke Prescott and 14-year-old Finlay Lester opening the batting against Lord and getting off to a good start.
Lester made 10 and Josh Ahern continued his good form hitting 21, before the side lost a raft of middle order wickets. Anees Arif hit a breezy 20, but the side were dismissed for a battling 152 all out.
Prescott was superb, batting right through the innings to deservedly reach his half century, and finished unbeaten on 58.
The 3rd team’s final game of the season was at Bolton Deane & Derby on Sunday, but less than 5 overs were bowled before rain forced it to be abandoned. The game was noteworthy, however, for the debut of another youngster, 14-year-old Harvey Harrison.
Prestwich 3rds finished the season in third place in the Sunday Premier Division, a remarkable effort given the youthfulness of the squad, and speaks volumes for their talent and potential.
