As excitement builds around Bermuda’s most beloved sporting tradition, Cup Match, TNN’s Trevor Lindsay made a timely visit to Somerset Cricket Club, the current holders of the annual classic trophy. Among the many talented players fine-tuning their skills at practice was one standout figure—21-year-old Brianna Ray, a female cricketer whose international resume and dedication to the sport are commanding attention.
Ray, who recently returned to the island, has spent the past five years honing her skills abroad. From 2019 to 2022, she played in England with the SEC women’s team, and then headed to Australia for the 2023–2024 season. She also earned a coveted spot as a subfielder for England during both the Ashes and Pakistan series—an experience she describes as “pretty cool.”
“I was part of the subfielders,” she explained. “I got to run drinks, be in the chamber with all the girls—it was fun and a great learning environment.”
Back in Bermuda for the summer, Ray isn’t necessarily eyeing a place on the Cup Match squad—though she’s certainly not ruling it out.
“I come to Cup Match training because it’s a challenge,” she said. “Being around a bunch of guys who are really good on the island pushes me to be a better player and train harder. If Cup Match happens, it happens. Right now, I’m just focusing on my game and hoping to make history this weekend in Eastern County at Flats.”
When asked if being named a reserve for Cup Match would be an honor, her answer was clear: “That would be very, very cool. But we’ll see what happens on the day.”
Ray’s humility is matched only by her passion for advancing women’s cricket. She hopes her journey inspires other young girls on the island to take up the sport.
“It would be pretty cool to help promote the women’s game here,” she said. “I’d love to see more women playing alongside me and, eventually, have a full women’s league when I come home.”
Looking ahead, Ray is keeping her options open. She may return to Perth later this year, but for now, she’s focused on making the most of her time back home. “I want to keep playing cricket at a high level, but I’ve also got to start making a living. So I’ll see where this summer takes me.”
Despite Bermuda’s uncharacteristic heat wave—with temperatures soaring into the 90s—Ray seems unfazed. “Australia was hotter than this!” she laughed. “I actually don’t mind. I’d rather be too hot than too cold. Being part of professional setups taught me how to hydrate and fuel correctly, so I just adapt.”
Her fitness regimen is a testament to her discipline. “I love running, I go to the gym a lot, and I just work hard at training,” she said. “I don’t need anyone to tell me to do it—I push myself. I always want to improve.”
And what would she tell the next generation of young athletes, especially girls dreaming of careers in sports?
“Just do it. Say yes to the things that scare you. The worst that can happen is you fail—and from that, you learn. Every experience shapes you into a better person and a better player. Whether you’re a girl or a boy, just work hard and say yes.”
Ray also shared a golden piece of advice learned from the elite environments she’s trained in: “You always give 110%, but if you’re not feeling 100% that day—maybe you’re tired, sore, or just off—then give 100% of what you do have. That’s how you grow.”
With her sights set on both personal growth and paving the way for women in cricket, Brianna Ray is not just a player to watch—she’s a leader in the making.
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