SHIV’S BACK ON TOP
Shivani Mehta endured the worst time of her burgeoning cricket career when she sat out the first seven rounds of the women’s Premier League competition.
Not the greatest spectator at the best of times, the first grade opening bat was ordered to rest by doctors after suffering the cricketer’s curse – a back injury.
The latest injury was caused by nerve damage in her lower back from two previous stress fractures.
Her brain’s association with the muscles surrounding her back switched off, which caused a lot of pain and inflammation in the joints and nerves even after the fractures had healed.
It sounds painful and it was and she badly missed the sense of camaraderie and the feel of winning as part of a team.
But the good news is the back injury is – pardon the pun – behind her.
While not quite at 100 per cent, Shivani has returned to the field and is slowly finding her groove.
Scores of 26, 53 and 15 at the top of the order have coincided with three straight wins for our top women’s team.
“Being out of the game for quite a while has definitely affected my confidence, however, I’m working hard in the nets to hit lots of balls so that my confidence and trust in my ability can transfer on field,” she told Tah Talk.
“After three games I feel as though I’m hitting the ball pretty well however I know there’s so much more to come.”
It’s great to have you back in blue, Shiv.
HISTORY TO BE MADE IN ORANGE
Manly boys don’t usually like to travel further west than Forestville, but we’re happy to make an exception for a special trip this weekend.
For what is believed to be the first Premier Cricket match played outside of Sydney, your Waratahs will take on Western Suburbs at Wade Park, Orange, in a day/night one-day game on Saturday.
This match has been a long time in preparation and has come about due to a lot of hard work from both clubs (a big thanks to Manly deputy pres David Gainsford in particular), Cricket NSW and local government authorities in Orange.
It’s a wonderful initiative and I know both sides will be up for it at what is a fantastic cricket facility.
And while it is a terrific promotion, our main focus is securing the competition points.
Wests may be down the ladder but they are a better side than what the results show and will come hard at us.
If you happen to be in the area, please drop in and cheer on the boys.
GOODBYE FOR NOW
This is our last Tah Talk for 2023.
I hope you have enjoyed your weekly dose of cricket talk and got to know a little bit more about some of our players and the happenings from within the inner sanctum.
We will be back in early 2024 and I just wanted to wish all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
I hope Santa leaves something cricket-related (preferably from Mike Pawley Sports) under your tree.
