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Caoimhe Bray, 15, became the youngest player to feature in the Women’s Big Bash League as she played a key role in Sydney Sixers’ win over Melbourne Renegades.

Bray, who turned 15 in September, bowled West Indies star Deandra Dottin for her first WBBL wicket and then hit the winning runs in an unbeaten cameo of 12 from five balls.

Sixers successfully chased 179 to beat Renegades with Ellyse Perry striking 81 from 38 balls, and the legendary all-rounder described Bray as “very special”.

“I haven’t seen a 15-year-old hit a four over cover like that to win a game before, so that’s a first,” Perry said after the match.

“She’s very special, a legend, and we’re very lucky to have her on our team.”

Bray takes the title of the WBBL’s youngest player from batter Phoebe Litchfield, now a regular for Australia, who made her debut for Sydney Thunder at 16 in 2019 and hit a half-century in just her second match.

The teenager described Perry as her idol and said it was a “dream come true” to play alongside her.

“If you ask all my primary school friends, every school project was about her,” Bray said.

“She gave me the cap before the game and I was crying a little bit. It was really exciting – a memory I won’t forget.”

Bray has also represented Australia in football, playing as a goalkeeper at age-group level – a feat which Perry also achieved, representing her country 18 times.