“She just wants to train and work hard, and then when she’s out in the middle she just wants to play, and she doesn’t worry about too much else.”
The comparisons to Perry are inevitable – and just not because of Bray’s cricketing prowess. The teenager is also an excellent soccer player, having made her international debut as a 14-year-old goalkeeper for the Junior Matildas earlier this year at the AFC Under 17 Women’s Asia Cup in Indonesia.
Caoimhe Bray after hitting the winning runs for the Sydney Sixers on Sunday night against the Melbourne Renegades.Credit: Getty Images
Perry juggled cricket and soccer commitments early in her career, having represented the Matildas before hanging up the boots. She debuted for Australia in cricket in 2007 against New Zealand in a one-day international, becoming the youngest player at 16 years and eight months to play for Australia.
Bray’s dream debut had looked as though it might end in disaster after she was handed the ball for her first over, with Renegades batter Deandra Dottin clubbing her for a six off delivery one before back-to-back fours put the youngster under real pressure.
However, Bray held her nerve and the last ball of her first over smashed into Dottin’s stumps.
“She bowled really well, too,” said Perry, who set up the win with 81 from 38 balls. “She’s a really special kid.”
While a stellar career beckons in cricket, Bray said earlier in the week she had no intention of giving up soccer just yet.
“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,” she told News Corp.
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“I’ve brought the soccer ball down, so I might go to the park or something and kick a ball around.”
The Sixers’ next WBBL match is against the Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday at North Sydney Oval.
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