At aged just 20, Sarah Bryce has achieved a lot in her career to date.
From experience as a captain in the absence of sister Kathryn to signing a retainer contract with the East Midlands Regional Hub, not to mention two appearances in the ICC’s Global Development Squad, there’s a limitless future for the wicketkeeper-batter.
Here, we take a look at her journey from Watsonian Cricket Club all the way to Scotland’s senior women’s side.
“My dad played a huge role in me being exposed to cricket,” Bryce explains.
“Anytime we watched it on the TV, played it in the back garden or on the beach, he was always full of such enthusiasm and I think that fuelled my love of the game from an early age.”
The love of the game from an early age took Sarah to Edinburgh-based Watsonian Cricket Club, who Bryce still turns out for and speaks highly of.
“They’ve always been hugely supportive of both myself and Kathryn, even before there was a women’s team, and I can’t thank everyone involved in the club enough for that.”
After being involved in the Scotland system early on, Sarah recounts the moment she first thought it was possible to make her debut for the senior Scotland side – a mammoth partnership with her sister for Scotland U17s, making her first century in the process.
“When I first started training with the women’s squad, it was quite overwhelming. I thought I wasn’t good enough to be there. But after a 336-run partnership with Kathryn, I started believing that if I kept working hard, it was possible.”
Sarah went on to make her senior debut in the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, before being named in the 2018 T20 World Cup Qualifier where she finished as the leading run-scorer for Scotland in the tournament with 162 runs in five games. The latter performance led to her being named a Rising Star by the International Cricket Council.
Speaking of wearing the thistle, Sarah describes it as “extremely special.”
“As I’ve gotten older, I make sure I’m not taking it for granted. There is no better feeling than singing Flower of Scotland having just won an international match, knowing that you are representing your country and doing it for everyone that has and continues to support you.”
Support is something Sarah credits former-Scotland international Kari Carswell with.
“Kari had a massive impact on me. She’s a legend of Scottish cricket and I’ve always looked up to her. I learned so much both being coached by and playing with her.”
Despite being only 20 years old, Sarah is counted as one of the more experienced members of the Scotland squad and has some quality advice for young cricketers.
“The best advice I can give to youngsters is not to feel like you have to choose one sport too early.
“There are so many transferrable skills across sports and you may even pick up something unique that isn’t usually taught at a cricket session. Make sure you have fun!”
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