Emma Hughes has got a taste of the Big Bash and now she wants more.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Macquarie junior made her debut for the Sydney Sixers on Sunday and immediately proved she belonged, taking her first Women's Big Bash League wicket in her second over.
It was a long-awaited moment for Hughes as she ran out with a Sixers team featuring greats of the game like Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy.
And while it wasn't a dream win on debut on Sunday as the Adelaide Strikers scored a 14-run victory, Hughes soaked up every moment of it.
"Having got to go out with the bat as well I've debuted in all area so I'm very much looking forward to being out there once again, improving again and keep going," she said.
READ ALSO:
The first chance to bowl in Sixers colours was something Hughes won't forget but one of the day's other special moments came before play again.
The former NSW Country seamer was presented with her cap by Sixers veteran and former Australian player Sarah Aley.
But, most importantly, she was a former coach of Hughes when she was running around the junior representative scene.
"I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to do it," Hughes said.
"I almost cried. It was really nice and Sarah Aley had some really nice words to say, having coached me when I was a little girl.
"It meant a lot to go from playing men's grade in Dubbo to go and play in the WBBL."
Hughes knew she was close to her debut, having filled in on field as a substitute for teammate Marianne Kapp recently while Sixers coach Ben Swayer had also told her to ready herself for a first game in magenta.
When the chance arrived on Sunday, Hughes took 1/12 from two overs while she finished 2 not out from 2 balls after coming to the crease with just three balls left in the match.
There was plenty of nerves when Hughes was thrown the ball by Perry but she justified her captain's faith when removing the Strikers' Madeline Penna.
It was a full-toss which drew a mishit from Penna, resulting in a simple catch for Erin Burns.
"I was aiming for a yorker but it was a little too full for that," Hughes laughed.
"I think it was good just to get it. I was so happy and it was a great feeling."
It was also a great feeling as she was mobbed by her teammates immediately after, even if it did mean she had to redo her prominent ponytail afterwards.
"I definitely got a lot of hair messed up. I got the wicketkeeping gloves to the hair," she laughed.
Hughes helped restrict the Strikers to 8/119 from their 20 overs on Saturday, after Perry had earlier taken 3/14 with the new ball.
That Strikers total proved to be enough though, as the Sixers could only manage 9/105 in reply.
It marked a fourth successive loss for the Sixers and resulted in them slipping out of the top four.
"We've had a bit of a rough bit but we know we can come back stronger," Hughes said.
"These games are a critical moment for us. We'll come back fighting now because we really want to be there in the finals.
"We know we're going to push a lot harder from now on."
While the defeat was frustrating, the only other downside for Hughes on Sunday was COVID restrictions meaning no crowds were allowed in to watch her debut.
But her family and friends were all tuned in from Dubbo and watching online.
"I came back and I had heaps of messages from pretty much all of my family," Hughes said.
The Sixers get the chance to return to winning ways on Tuesday when they meet the Brisbane Heat.