Penrith Cricket Club - Emma Hughes #43
Penrith Cricket Club | October 22, 2024
What year were you born?
2000
Tell us about your cricket journey.
I started playing cricket with my brother at 8 years old at Macquarie Junior Cricket club in Dubbo. Then I started playing Margaret Peden Shield for Penrith. From there I played for Western Zone, NSW Country and Macquarie Cricket Club 3rd grade at 13 years old. Cricket has ended up taking me to play for many cricket teams over the years, including Canterbury Cricket Club (Men’s and Women’s) in England, Kent Cricket, Penrith Women's First Grade, Macquarie Cricket Club Men’s First Grade, Sydney Sixers and New South Wales Breakers.
If you can share with our readers how you would describe yourself as a cricketer?
I am a bowling all-rounder. I'm a medium-fast swing bowler who bats in the middle order.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
I enjoy playing alongside some of my best friends and being there for each other in the ups and downs of playing cricket. I also just enjoy the challenge and competitiveness of the game. There is never a moment where I'm not thinking or talking.
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket so far?
Getting the opportunity to play in England. I have made some of my best friends there, and now I keep going back.
Who’s your favourite all-time cricketer?
I have three, and it’s tough to pick between them. They are Dennis Lillee, Curtly Ambrose and Glenn McGrath.
Who is the fastest bowler you’ve played against?
The fastest bowler I have faced is my brother (roughly 130-140s). I still cannot get a bat to it. Outside of him, it’s probably Ellyse Perry.
Who is the best spinner you’ve played against?
Amanda Wellington
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Hands down it would have to be any of Alyssa Healy's tons for the Sydney Sixers – incredible to watch. The other would have to be Phoebe Litchfield’s 99 that helped Penrith win the 50-over finals in 2023. I was out with a torn ACL, but it was still incredible to watch.
Who is the best wicket keeper you’ve had the good fortune to play with?
Tahlia Wilson. She is an incredibly talented cricketer and is one of the best wicketkeepers I’ve had the opportunity to play cricket with.
Is there a young player in your club you’d like to nominate as a player to watch?
Callee Black. She is a very talented left-hand bowler and batter. She has a lot of potential and a great cricketing brain.
Who are the two players you’ve come to admire most in your club in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
Our captains Samantha Arnold and Elise Noble. Both in their own rights are very kind people who love to help out as often as they can with the younger girls, but they are also both very good batting all-rounders. I love watching these two open the batting and show strong leadership and cricket smarts out in the field.
What are the two attributes you like to see in a captain and leader?
Being open to everyone's ideas while still using their own knowledge, so good communication skills, resilience and ability to stay on top in the game when things might not be going as well.
Which singer/band would you like to see perform live?
I have way too many favourite artists so maybe I'm better off at a festival, where I can see anyone, but I think out of all of them I would love to see Charli XCX!
Favourite location, city or country as a holiday destination?
Literally anywhere in Italy!! My favourite is Florence.
Who’s been the biggest influence on your career so far?
Completely unrelated to cricket but Daniel Ricciardo, his mindset and ability to stay true to himself and not care what people think of him, as well as his ability to get through adversity, is something incredible and I strive to be like.
Where do you find inspiration that gets you through challenging times?
My family and friends. Unfortunately I’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of challenges already thrown at me. It's been my family and friends who have kept me inspired to push through it.
Who are the three people in the world you’d love to meet and talk to?
Daniel Ricciardo, Daisy Edgar Jones and Scotty James
What do you like to do to relax outside cricket?
Snowboarding, motorbiking, surfing, gym and running. I like to keep myself busy.
What do you do outside cricket?
I'm currently studying physiotherapy.
Do you have a favourite quote?
There is one quote that has got me through some of my hardest moments. It’s quite long but it means the absolute most to me. You will find the word written on a lot of my cricket equipment.
‘FEA embodies the underdog mentality. It’s the motivator. It’s the thing that gets you out of bed with the will to fight and prove yourself right. It won’t always go your way but that’s OK. FEA is the desire to get back up and keep going. When you pour your heart and soul into something who’s to tell you, you can’t do it or make that goal a reality. It’s to stand up to those who say you won’t do it or you’re not good enough or brave enough or talented enough or driven enough. We all go through it, no matter the scale, and it feels good to stand tall and ultimately say.’ Daniel Ricciardo ( if you want to know the rest of it ask me)
What are your goals for the next season?
I would love to be leading wicket-taker for the season, and maybe make a cheeky 50 here and there. A ton would be awesome too but a little out of reach.
Can we ask, what would it mean to you to play first class cricket?
Having already had the opportunity to play professional cricket, it was an absolute childhood dream. My aspirations were to play for Australia and to have it be so close is truly the most special memory. I will keep putting in all the hard work and mental strength to keep pushing to prove my potential and abilities. To say it would be special and a dream is an understatement.
