AUSTRALIAN Under 21s representative and Queanbeyan Women's cricket Captain Em Preston can't wait to play in front of a big crowd again after representing an ACT Invitational team against the ACA Masters at Manuka Oval on Sunday.
Preston was the only female in the Twenty20 game and managed to claim two prized wickets former NSW batsman Corey Richards and ex-Victorian opener Graeme Vimpani in front of about 2000 spectators.
She also enjoyed a battle with former Australian fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz at the back end of the Masters' innings before finishing the match with figures of 2/31.
The 17-year-old said the crowd support throughout the day was fantastic.
``It was amazing, I had the best time out there, it was the best atmosphere and the biggest crowd I've ever played in front of,'' Preston said.
``I had good support too from the Premier League girls who were there and their mums and dads I could hear them every time I fielded the ball, and the crowd really supported the rest of the boys as well.
``I think the biggest thing I took out of it was the love of playing in front of a big crowd. It's definitely something I want to do again, the atmosphere was amazing.'' The ACA Masters batted first but only managed 132. Preston was brought on to bowl in the 14th over and said her memorable four-over spell was something she'd cherish for a long time.
``The two wickets were definitely pretty exciting, I was hoping to take something out of it and I did to have two catches taken off my bowling was awesome,'' she said.
``The first time I fielded the ball was pretty special too, I was nervous when it was coming to me and thinking I hope I don't stuff this up, but I fielded it so it was okay.'' She said there was some friendly banter between her and former Australian fast bowler Kasprowicz.
``There was a little bit especially when he went down on one knee to face me,'' Preston said.
``I bowled him a beamer on the last ball and he Leg came up and said congratulations to me at the end of the innings and told me I'd done well.''
ACT easily chased down the Masters' total, thanks largely to Queanbeyan batsmen Jono Dean [36] and Jordan McLennan [38] who put on 55 for the opening wicket.