Phoebe was on the money

Phoebe Vlahov, the toast of Geraldton cricketing circles, is right on the money when it comes to taking wickets – and picking selections.

The 18-year-old right-arm medium pace bowler has been in top form in Town’s B-grade side this year.

After winning selection a third time for WA in the under-18 female national championships, and taking a prize scalp at training, she jokingly suggested to the Guardian last week that an A-grade call-up with Towns may not be far away.

“I got the captain (Jai Russell) out at training so hopefully I can get an A-grade game soon,” she said.

The following day, when the story was published, she got the call-up.

She made her dubut on Saturday, taking a wicket in the first over.

Jokes aside, Vlahov said plying her trade with Towns was providing her with ideal preparation for the championships in Canberra in January.

“We don’t have a women’s team here so I play against the men and it’s really good, I learn a lot and get more game sense,” she said last week.

“I got a ‘four-fer’ a couple of weeks ago, and three and two wickets the past couple of weeks, so I’m really enjoying it and all the guys help me out and support me a lot.”

Vlahov said she was excited at the prospect of being a senior member in the WA under-18 team.

“I’m a bit older and have a bit more game sense, so (I’m) a bit wiser now,” she said.

“I’m trying to get to Perth and train a bit more with the girls there, so that’s definitely going to help.”

Vlahov plans on keeping her approach to the championships simple.

“Just do the best that I can, help the team out as much as I can — I really want to try to be a team player,” she said.

“Hopefully I can get a few wickets, and there’s an ‘all-stars’ team and I want to try to get into that.”

As for the future, Vlahov plans on taking a gap year in 2016 and has set her sights on higher honours.

“The women’s Big Bash is really good for women’s cricket, it’s really starting to pick up,” she said.

“After my gap year I’ll stick around with the Fury a bit and see how I go, move to Perth and try to get into it.

“I don’t think I could get any more support than I have this year, everyone’s always helping me out and congratulating me … so I just want to thank everyone.”