For a lot of people, their favourite thing might be gardening, cooking, or helping others. But for me, cricket isn’t just something I like — it’s shaped who I am.
Hi, I’m Anshruta. I’m 14, and I play cricket for Berwick and Melbourne Cricket Club. My cricket journey started in 2017 when my dad first showed me the game. Our driveway was my first training ground — just the right length for a full run-up and a pitch. I’d spend hours there pretending the crowd was cheering and copying all the players I saw on TV. I’ve been to WBBL and BBL matches, and even watched India vs Australia at the MCG — which made me love cricket even more.
I first picked up a bat and ball in my last season of Milo Cricket at South Croydon CC (after two years of Cricket Blast), and my first official match was in 2020. Since then, I haven’t had a season without scoring runs or taking wickets.
When I was younger, I looked up to players like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, and Mitchell Starc. But over the last few years, women’s cricket has become a huge inspiration for me. Players like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Ellyse Perry have taught me so much about batting, bowling, and even just how to carry myself on the field. Their energy and passion still push me to get better every time I play.
Cricket is now a big part of my life. Most weeks are full of training, nets, and matches. I stretch a lot before games because bowling with stiff muscles is the worst — especially after injuring my knee about a year ago. I take 17 steps in my run-up — partly rhythm, partly superstition, because 7 is my lucky number. I’ve learned that starting an innings steadily helps you score bigger runs. Before each over, I think about the pitch, the batters’ weaknesses, and where my best fielders should be. My pre-game routine is simple: I eat whatever Mum makes (usually salad and fruit), and I always make sure to have hot chocolate and plenty of water before, during, and after matches.
Some cricket moments I’ll never forget. Once, I was asked to open with a friend and smashed 22 off 10 balls — came in, hit it, walked out. In a practice match, I took four wickets and would have had five if a catch hadn’t been dropped. In a grand final, I hit my first-ever six on the first ball I faced. More recently, I scored 38 runs off 56 balls in a really important 40-over game, helping a crumbling batting line-up. These are the moments that make cricket amazing.
For my first five seasons, I played in a mixed team with 10 boys and only one girl — me. At first, it was super awkward. I got sledged, stared at, and felt all the nerves that make your tummy flip. But I didn’t let it bother me — I just focused on my game week after week. Those tough times turned into really happy ones. Last year, our team even won two years in a row, and the club has won three!
I’ve also been lucky off the field. I meet well-known players sometimes — even Lasith Malinga, because his son plays at my club. I’ve trained with cricketers and played alongside their kids, and all of it has taught me things I never expected.
COVID was really hard. Lockdowns stopped all cricket, but the nine-year-old me still found a way — convincing Dad to let my sister and me play gully cricket whenever we could. That kept my love for the game alive.
Another big change was when I moved to Berwick. Leaving my old school, club, and friends was hard, but joining Berwick CC became one of the most important parts of my journey. The talent, the tough training, and the environment pushed me to improve — early Saturday mornings, late Thursday nights, and lots of time in traffic included.
I’ve missed parties, outings, and “normal” weekends because of cricket, but I don’t feel like I’ve missed out. Cricket has given me way more than it’s ever taken.
Cricket isn’t just a hobby — it’s shaped who I am. Every season, every match, every run-up, and every innings has made me better. And the best part? My journey is just getting started.
