Jahlira Knight excels in Women’s Cricket

The winning WA team with Jahlira second from right in front row. Photo TWH

Jahlira Knight, daughter of former Bourke resident Daniel Knight is now a proud championship winner after being chosen to represent Western Australia in the Indigenous Women’s Cricket Championships.

Jahlira is also the granddaughter of Robert and Julie Knight of Bourke – proud grandparents who are happy to sing the praises of Jahlira and her team mates.

Dad Daniel Knight travelled to Mackay in north Queensland with 14-year-old Jahlira for the Indigenous Women’s Cricket Championships where Jahlira represented WA as the youngest player in the championships.

For the first time in its 13-year history Western Australia won the championship trophy losing only one match during the championship play-off and defeating the highly fancied Queensland team in the grand final.

Jahlira’s grandfather Robert Knight said he was extremely proud of Jahlira’s efforts in getting selected to play for WA.

“Considering she is only 14 years of age, Jahlira has done a great job to get selected to play at state representative level,” Robert said.

In the grand final played at the Great Barrier Reef Arena, Western Australia won the toss and chose to bat first, amassing a total of 5/165 as Queensland failed to bowl WA out.

Kunja woman Mikayla Hinkley put together a match-winning display with the bat for WA, peeling off seven boundaries and a six on her way to 71 from 44 balls.

In reply, Queensland was bowled out for 93, giving Western Australia a 72-run win.

The women’s team was mentored by Zoe Goss OAM, with her experience as both a coach and player proving invaluable to WA’s young up and coming athletes.

Currently serving as the coach of the Aboriginal Talent Academy, Goss has been a leading hand in developing future stars of the game.