Kayla is an opening bowler and had never played cricket until November 2008, but is now part of the Wagin under 13 and under 16 side and was soon picked to be part of the Central Districts' side, playing in her first Peel Carnival last year.

She has even filled in for the Wagin B grade men’s side when they have been short of players and was the first girl to play football in Wagin.

She will have to give this up this year as girls aged 14 years and over cannot play football in Wagin.

As a result, she will concentrate on cricket.

About 50 girls tried out for the State Country side, with the number narrowed down to a final 12.

Three are from the Central Districts, with Kayla the youngest team member chosen.

She now hopes to win a scholarship to one of Perth's private schools which specialises in cricket and continue her cricketing career.

Her father Andrew Garth said Kayla was a cricketing natural.

“She had never picked up a ball until 2008 and from the start she was a natural bowler,” he said.

“She just has natural ability and bowling style and really impressed the selectors at Country Week.

“Her two coaches, Mark Haverkort (from the Wagin under 13 side) and Brenden Hall (Wagin under 16s) were both really excited too.

“It is a great honour.

“Selectors for the Southern Stars and the Western Fury were both taking a close look her.”

Kayla said she took up playing cricket to break the typical stereotype of girls having to play more traditional sports.

“I wanted to prove that girls can do anything,” she said.

Kayla is also pleased her selection will put her home town on the map.

“It is great to come from a small town like Wagin and promote it,” she said.

Kayla, who also loves horseriding, trains about four times a week to keep in practice with her cricket and hopes one day to play for WA and then Australia.

She would also one day like to become a cricket development officer to encourage other girls into the sport.

Mr Garth also hopes her selection will highlight girls' cricket in the area.

“We don't have a girls' team at the moment and it would be great if Kayla's selection encouraged other girls to come and play cricket so we can get a team going,” he said.

“It will be good for cricket generally in the town too.”