VERSATILE Marburg cricketer Trinity Doyle has already achieved so much – from playing with the boys team in junior cricket, to captaining the Hornets and representing her state.
However, it is her maturity at the age of 16, that underlines Trinity’s rapid development.
The former Marburg-Mt Crosby Thunder junior is preparing to represent the Queensland under-19 team at this month’s national championships in Brisbane.
The top order batter and left-arm medium-fast bowler has served her state at two previous nationals at under-16 and under-19s level.
The Queensland 19’s team last year finished third.
Trinity’s latest national campaign has added importance in a season where she was appointed captain of the Hornets women’s team.
“It’s been really good captaining the girls, such a good group of girls,” she said.
“It’s a little bit of pressure but I like the challenge of being out on the field and having to think about the moments and where to put the fielders and stuff.”
Growing up in Marburg, Trinity started playing cricket with the boys team, before joining a girls’ team and rejoining male cricketers in Thunder’s Third Grade side.
The former Southern Blaze all rounder was invited to the Hornets in 2021.
She had a superb debut season in the Katherine Raymont Shield first-grade competition, with 345 runs and 11 wickets.
“At such a young age, I was so welcomed into the squad and it’s really good to start off a newbie in that squad and now I’m captaining the first-grade side,” she said.
Selectors quickly discovered Trinity’s determination and leadership qualities.
Among those keen observers is current Hornets player-coach Melissa Lewis, who is overseeing the women’s program.
“It [the captaincy] is a massive responsibility,” Lewis said.
“She is definitely wise beyond her years in terms of her cricket knowledge.
“She does put a lot of effort into timing and strategy and all of that jazz. That’s what you want from your captain.
“She’s definitely an old hand on a young body – that’s for sure.”
Lewis said Trinity was “peaking at the right time” for the nationals after managing some earlier injury issues.
“Hopefully she’s been able to learn a few things from her experience and she can take that into the Queensland tournament and use that as best she can,” Lewis said.
“It’s been really fun being a sounding board for her throughout the game.”
Trinity appreciates the guidance of the vastly experienced Lewis.
“It’s really helpful having her insight on the field,’’ Trinity said.
While enjoying her weekly Hornets first-grade matches, Trinity welcomes the chance to work on her skills at an even higher level.
“It’s such a big opportunity to be selected in that [Queensland] side and hopefully I’ll take my opportunities as they come and just give as best as I can,” the talented teenager said.
The Queenslanders will play a combination of T20 and one-day matches as part of the national under-19 series.
Trinity has just finished year 11 at West Moreton Anglican College.
She said playing for Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League “is a bit further down the track”.
“Their team is very solid at the moment and it’s going to be definitely hard to crack that,” she said.
“You’ve just got to take your opportunities as they come and try and relax as much as possible because you’ve done all the hard work on the sidelines and it’s just about performing on the day.”
