Central teenager Hannah O’Connor (18) has made her international cricketing debut, representing New Zealand in the Under 19 Women's T20 World Cup in Malaysia.

A right arm pace bowler, Hannah made her way through the age group ranks, after starting her cricketing career at Molyneux Cricket club at the age of eight. 

Last year she won a women’s bowler of the year award in under 19 at the Otago Cricket Awards. 

Cricket is in her blood - her father Shayne is a former Black Cap who represented NZ between 1997 and 2001.

Hannah’s parents are both in Malaysia and were able to watch her wear the fern for the first time.

Molyneux Cricket Club (MCC) president Adrian Morgan said Hannah was a part of an O’Connor cricketing dynasty - while she is in Malaysia, brother Thomas has been playing in the Hawke Cup for Otago Country, and younger brother Jack has been representing Otago in an under 17 team.

“Hannah’s a hardworking player, she’s been working hard on her game in Dunedin. She was a standout player for Otago at under 19 level, which is how she got selected for this NZ team.”

Adrian said the MCC community was proud and thrilled for her to be playing at an international level. 

Together with Louisa Kotkamp the pair are the only Otago region players in the squad.  

Siblings Thomas and Hannah O’Connor with their Otago Cricket awards last season. PHOTO: Supplied

Shayne O'Connor (at back) with Hannah (second from left) and her team mates, when they were in year eight, at Molyneux Cricket Club prize giving in 2019. PHOTO: Image Central

The NZ U19 T20 team has been coached by New Zealand Cricket high performance coach Sara McGlashan. 

Sara said representing New Zealand was a massive moment in any career, and World Cups are rare opportunities to showcase your skills on the global stage. 

“This squad brings a mix of skill, athleticism, and a hunger to learn, making it a group full of potential for future success.”

The team played two warm-up games against USA and West Indies on January 13 and 15 respectively, followed by three matches against Pool C opponents, South Africa, Nigeria and Samoa.

In the first two pool games NZ had two losses, South Africa won by 22 runs on January 18, and Nigeria by a narrow margin of two runs on January 20, both games were reduced in length due to rain. 

Hannah took one wicket in the second match, that of opening batter Victory Igbinedion. 

The final game against Samoa is broadcast live at 3.30pm today on Sky Sport and live scored at nzc.nz and the NZC App. 

The Central App will bring you another story about an emerging local cricket talent early next week. 

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