Bolto ready to take on world
WA's Nicole Bolton is out to prove she can score rapidly during the Women's World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.
Bolton, who was yesterday named WNCL player of the year for the second straight year, is part of a 15-woman Southern Stars squad aiming to defend the title the Australians won in India two years ago.
Their campaign starts with their first pool match against New Zealand on Sunday.
Bolton made her international debut during the recent Ashes series, making a brill- iant century in a one-day clash.
The 25-year-old left-hander scored 124 from 152 balls to become the first Australian woman to score a one-day international hundred on debut.
She backed that up with a solid 31 in the next ODI, but made just six in her one and only appearance in the T20 format for Australia.
"I got an opportunity and it was something I had been waiting for for a long time and I am glad I took it with both hands and played really well in those one-dayers and then got a gig in the last T20 as well," Bolton said.
"I played a lot more games for Australia than I thought I would in that Ashes series."
Bolton said she was adjusting to batting in the middle order for Australia in T20s after finishing the first-class season for WA with 371 runs at 61.8 and seven wickets at 25.6.
The WA captain performed well down the order during a recent tour with the Shooting Stars (Australia A) in Sri Lanka.
"At State level I play a very different role to where they see me fitting in at the Australian level," she said.
"It's something I have been working pretty hard on. I think it's a position that's suited to my style of game.
"Fifty-over cricket for me is well suited because I can accelerate as my innings progresses.
"But I am confident that I can contribute in some capacity (in T20s) and that my game is in a good space and I am hitting the ball well and looking to score runs."
Bolton said playing district cricket for Subiaco Floreat second and third elevens against men in WA in recent seasons had helped her develop her power, a quality she will need in the big-hitting T20s.
And despite her stunning introduction to the Australian team, she feels far from assured of a spot in the team.
"Players are in form," Bolton said.
"You can never really think you're settled or have cemented your spot.
"I can only hope that I get more opportunities, especially in this format to showcase what I have got.
"But I'm just really excited.
"It's my first World Cup and going over as the reigning world champs there will be a lot of hype around."
SQUAD *
Meg Lanning (c, Vic), Alex Blackwell (vc, NSW), Nicole Bolton (WA), Jess Cameron (Vic), Sarah Coyte (NSW), Rene Farrell (ACT), Holly Ferling (Qld), Alyssa Healy (NSW), Julie Hunter (Vic), Jess Jonassen (Qld), Delissa Kimmince (Qld), Beth Mooney (Qld), Erin Osborne (NSW), Ellyse Perry (NSW), Elyse Villani (Vic).
