Former cricketer Courtney Winfield-Hill set to play Rugby for England

Australia-born former cricketer Courtney Winfield-Hill, who switched to Rugby post-marriage, has got her maiden call-up to represent England’s Rugby team on Sunday against Wales. She qualified for the game through the residency rule. Having lived in the UK since 2018 and being married to her English partner cricketer Lauren Winfield-Hill, she was eligible to play for England.

Courtney started her career playing for Queensland Fire as a pacer. She has also represented the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League during the inaugural season of the tournament. After switching to Rugby, she is now a member of the Leeds Rhinos, all prepared to make her debut for the country.

“It is brilliant to be able to introduce so many new and talented faces to the side before this weekend’s trip to Wales. There is a real competition for places among the squad now and players need to be performing consistently to wear the England shirt,” the England Rugby team’s head coach Craig Richards was quoted by BBC Sport after the squad was announced.

Courtney changed her sport after getting married to Lauren

Courtney Winfield-Hill married Lauren in 2018 and decided to change her sport after arriving in England. She opted for Rugby, a sport that she had not played since junior level. However, she was roped in by Leeds Rhinos in the squad despite her insufficient experience in the game. Since then, she has only grown in the sport and thus became a pivotal member of the team.

She was a regular in the Brisbane Heat side during the WBBL and represented the team in multiple matches. Joining the team in 2015, she represented the side till January 2018. Before switching the sport, she had not played a single international match and was seen only during the league games.

Hill, a school teacher by profession, from Monto, took up sprinting during the off-season of cricket in earlier days and has also achieved laurels there. Having played 15 matches for Brisbane Heat in the WBBL, she registered 2/17 as her best bowling figures and ended her tenure with the team at a brilliant economy of 6.6.