GREAT FUN: Ōtorohanga’s Molly Fox. PHOTO SUPPLIED
ŌTOROHANGA cricketer Molly Fox just finished the toughest cricketing week of her career. The talented 17-year-old, who bats and bowls, was a late callup to the Northern Districts U19 girls’ team for their national tournament in Lincoln last week. While Northern Districts (ND) didn’t win the tournament, they were more than competitive in all of the fixtures they played. Molly said it was a good week of cricket despite her team’s results. “I enjoyed it. It was a challenge and there were some good players but it’s exciting to be able to play for ND.” She said the late call-up meant there were no expectations on her performance. “I just wanted to do as well as I could with whatever chance I got.” Against Otago, Molly took 1-36 off nine overs in what was her longest spell of the week, and in the same game she made 4 not out. Her most productive spell of the tournament came in a loss to Auckland, where she picked up two wickets at the death in what was a super seven-over spell. In the first game of the tournament, Molly, batting at number eight, made 11 not out with the bat, looking assured during her time at the crease in what was a difficult game against Wellington. She also bowled well with little reward against Central Districts, where she took a sharp catch and bowled well in her two overs, unlucky not to have a wicket next to her name. In the Twenty20 against Canterbury, she wasn’t needed with bat or ball but was part of an impressive team performance as they secured a good win. Fox was introduced to cricket several years ago when she saw her brothers playing it in the backyard and now she dominates whenever there’s a family game. “I was doing dance and then they made me have a go with them in the backyard and I enjoyed it, so it was a way of giving up dance.” Although she enjoys cricket and hopes one day to achieve her dream of being a White Fern and representing the Northern Brave, but says it can be frustrating. “It’s an annoying game because more often than not you fail with the bat and might not get many wickets, but then when you do well it’s great and that is what keeps bringing me back to play. “I also enjoy the team element and I have made some great mates.” Molly, who just finished at Ōtorohanga College, said Auckland and Wellington were impressive teams in Lincoln. “They were pretty strong. Wellington ended up winning the tournament.” She said playing at an awesome venue like Lincoln also made things more enjoyable. “The facilities and everything was amazing. It was nice to play on grass all week because most of my cricket this season has been on artificial.” Funnily enough, Lincoln will be her new home in 2023, having gained a cricket scholarship to the university, where she will be studying Agribusiness. “It was exciting to get down there and stay in the hostel and just see everything ahead of next year. I will be using the facilities for cricket, which is awesome.” This week Molly’s lining up for Waikato Valley in the Northern Districts schoolgirls regional tournament in Tauranga. “I am hoping to score a few runs and hopefully pick up some wickets. I always enjoy playing for Waikato Valley.” She doesn’t mind being from a small town like Ōtorohanga as everyone knows about her achievements compared to a big town where they get lost in the crowd. Her favourite cricketer is White Fern Amelia Kerr. She is looking forward to a bit of a break before it ramps up again in 2023. “It will be nice having a few weeks off. The last few weeks have been incredibly busy.” Molly, who has a highest score of 53 and a best wicket haul of four in one match on several occasions, was keeping her goal simple for 2023. “I just want to train hard and make the most of my opportunities. Do as well as I can in Canterbury.” She is still young enough for the tournament next year but is unsure if she will be eligible for ND in 2023, or whether she may have to swap to the red-and-black for next year. Her good friend Erin Hunt is part of the Northern Brave set up and Molly hopes to wear the ND colours alongside her again soon. Northern Districts U19 coach Brett Sorensen said Molly fitted in well. “She was brilliant. She did well. Molly brought a lot of energy into the team and the girls’ enjoyed having her as part of the team. “It was a good week. It was tough but they learned a lot and will no doubt be better from it.”
