By Steve Brown
While cricket followers are talking about new teen batting sensation Phoebe Litchfield from Orange, NSW in the WBBL series, local girl Tess Flintoff has made her debut for the Melbourne Stars.
The 16-year-old former Knox Gardens junior is yet to be dismissed in her opening four games against the Hobart Hurricanes, Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder.
Flintoff batting at number six and seven has scores of 34 not out (from 22 balls), 18* (18) 10* (12) and 3* (4) facing the likes of Australian frontline bowlers Ellyse Perry, Tayla Vlaeminck and Nicola Carey.
She also took 1/20 from four overs against the Thunder capturing Australian batter Rachel Haynes.
The talented all-rounder will lead the Victorian U/18 team in Tasmania early next year in the National Under 18 championships and is the first Ferntree Gully and District Cricket Association female selected in the Victorian Cricket Team having played ACT and South Australia earlier in September.
Both Phoebe and Tess are members of the Australian Pathways Squad and have played against each other during various underage National Championships.
“We keep in touch and message each other when one of us does well,” Tess said.
The Stars are yet to open their account after four matches.
