Tassie’s Graham relishes call-up

Tiger to T20 World Cup

TASMANIAN Tiger Heather Graham is hopeful a T20 World Cup debut is well within her reach following her selection in the 15-player squad for February’s tournament in South Africa.

Graham, who recently returned to Tasmania following a breakthrough performance in the T20 international series in India, was the only Tasmanian-based player selected with fellow Tiger Nicola Carey missing the cut.

After being a reserve in Australia’s winning squad in 2020, Graham said she was excited at the prospect of representing her country in a World Cup.

“The last World Cup I was a reserve so I’m actually really excited to go away and be with a team and hopefully get on the park as well,” Graham said.

Graham took a hat-trick and finished with figures of 4-8 in the final clash against India and said the performance was one that filled her with huge confidence heading into both the World Cup and the T20 international series against Pakistan later this month.

“It (the India series) gave me a heap of confidence. I hadn’t played at that level for a long time now so to be able to go out there and do something was really quite nice,” Graham said.

“I have the confidence in myself and also the team.

“It’s not every day you get to play for your country and I don’t take it for granted, that’s for sure.”

Graham, who relocated to Tasmania from Western Australia in 2020 to play her cricket, may get the chance to don the green and gold in front of her adopted home fans with Blundstone Arena set to host the second of three T20 internationals on January 26.

“I’ve been fortunate that Tassie has helped my development ... and hopefully I can pay them in return in bringing home a World Cup,” Graham said. “Fingers crossed I can get out on the park for that game (at Blundstone Arena). It’s normally a batter-friendly wicket but we’ve seen in the Big Bash the last few games it probably hasn’t been so hopefully that’s the same (for me), I’d love that as a bowler.”

The 26-year-old returned to WNCL duties for Tasmania in last week’s wins over Queensland at Allan Border Field and while she will again suit against the ACT next week, World Cup duties will see her miss the back-half of the year as last year’s premiers look to go back-to-back.