Local cricketer is world cup bound

GREEN AND GOLD: Rockhampton indoor cricket stars Robert Fitzgerald and Ashleigh Doble are all smiles after earning World Cup selection for Australia following strong performances for Queensland at the national titles.

Sharyn Oneill SO--

IT'S not everyday you get to share the strike with the Australian captain.

Rockhampton indoor cricketer Ashleigh Doble enjoyed that exact opportunity and didn’t let the occasion get the best of her.

Doble recently opened the batting with Queensland and Australian captain Jude Coleman in the final of the National Indoor Cricket Championships in Sydney.

The pair combined to put on a 32-run partnership, however, it wasn’t enough to beat Victoria in the final.

Victoria had the wood on the Queenslanders throughout the tournament, not only defeating them in the decider, but also in their earlier semi-final match-up.

However, the loss did not harm Doble’s chances of selection in the Australian women’s squad for the upcoming Indoor Cricket World Cup.

The 21-year-old has been named in a preliminary train-on squad for the Australian side to compete in the 2011 World Cup in South Africa.

The squad will be finalised following next year’s national titles in Perth.

Doble, who plays for the Wynnum Seagulls in the Ladies Super League in Brisbane, knows that she has to continue to work hard if she is to be selected in the final World Cup side.

“This is just a foot in the door,” Doble said yesterday.

“If I want to make it, I’ve still got to train hard and perform well.”

Selection in the squad was a huge relief for the Brisbane-based indoor cricketer after missing out last year due to illness.

That setback proved to be the all-rounder’s motivation to perform well in this year’s titles.

“I just wanted to go into the competition, play well and hopefully make the Australian team,” said Doble.

While making the national team was Doble’s goal, batting with the Australian captain was the highlight of the tournament.

“She’s just a freak,” gleamed Doble.

“She has the ability to pull off the best fielding I’ve ever seen.

“I learn a lot every time I play against her and in the same team.

“I’ve just got to train hard and perform well over leading up to the Australian titles.”

While final selection for the side is based on her performance in the 2011 Australian titles, being named in the squad has been a big boost for the youngster.

Ashleigh’s coach, Mick Hepburn, heaped praise on Doble and believes it’s the 21-year-old’s hard work off the court that has helped her succeed.

Hepburn travels from Rockhampton to Brisbane twice a week to coach Doble and believes a combination of natural ability and hard work has ensured her success.

“Ashleigh always puts in 100 percent,” said Hepburn.

“She’s never missed a step and is always ready to go.”

Fellow Rockhampton indoor cricketer Robert Fitzgerald was also rewarded for his strong performances at the national titles with selection in the Australian men’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

Fitzgerald played in Australia’s victorious World Cup side, which beat New Zealand in 2009, but was unhappy with his performances during the international event.

“I’d like to redeem myself and make it back into the top 8,” said the all-rounder.

If his performance at the national titles is any indication, he is certainly on track for a chance at redeeming himself at next year’s World Cup.

“At the nationals I felt pretty comfortable,” said Fitzgerald. “I am happy with the way I was batting.”

I just wanted to go into the competition, play well and hopefully make the Australian team