Maddison Baird

Baird bowling Border boys

Maddi Baird doesn’t like cricket, she loves it.

The 18-year-old nursing student from Albury has been taking on the boys with her pace bowling since she was 11.

“I was just filling in for my brothers team one game and then I kind of just kept playing after that,” Maddi said.

“It’s just so competitive and I love how challenging it is. I just enjoy it.”

Since then Maddi has had her fair share of achievements, including leading the second grade provincial bowling for the men’s competition.

“I played at the under-18 national championships for Victoria and I played in the under-18 North East Knights team in Melbourne.

“I’ve been playing for Brunswick in the Women’s Premier League in Melbourne as well.

“Playing for Victoria, that was a standout and moving clubs and playing second grade in the men’s comp every week has been pretty good.”

Maddi plays second grade provincial cricket for St Patrick’s Cricket Club, as well as coaching the under-12 St Pat’s side, however, her heart is set on making it as far as she can with her cricket.

“Hopefully play for the WBBL soon in the next couple of seasons and just play for Victoria again,” she said.

“There’s a lot more pathways now, like to play for your state is a lot more easy than it used to be.

“With the WBBL there’s so much more for younger girls these days to look up to and want to do better.”

Maddi, who is considered by her team mates as “one of the boys,” has also had her fair share of injuries.

“I tore my calf last season and I dislocated my shoulder this season,” she said.

“I just keep playing. Just tape it up and it’s all good.”

Cricket is somewhat a family affair for the Baird’s with Maddi’s father, David , and two brothers, Thomas, 12 and Nick, 20, all playing the game.

Maddi’s mum, Vicki, says she couldn’t be more proud of her daughter.

“She takes everything in her stride and if she gets a challenge with an injury she gets in does what she needs to do and keeps going,” she said.

“She’s pretty easy going, down to earth and fits in really well with the boys. She’s like a little sister to most of the boys. She’s just going in leaps and bounds.”

Maddi has been nominated for the Norske Skog Young Achiever of the Year Award for the second year running.

“I was pretty excited because it’s my second year and it was good fun last year,” she said.

“It’s exciting but it’s also kind of nerve racking.

“It would mean so much to me just to get my name out there and hopefully move up the ranks more, that’d be really good.”