Sianna Ginger – Rising cricket star with an Antonian Connection

Cricket may be the stage for Sianna Ginger today, but her story is woven from a legacy that began long before she picked up a bat. The 20-year-old rising star plays with both a love for the game and pride in her Antonian roots, passed down from her father, David, a former student of St. Anthony’s College, Kandy. With family influence and her own determination, Sianna is fast becoming one of the most exciting young players in women’s cricket.

Sianna’s standout performances for Australia A against a strong India A outfit have marked her as one of the brightest all-round talents waiting in the wings for full national honours. She announced herself in style with a maiden century in the four-day match, bringing up the milestone with a six over long-on. In a T20 clash at Mackay, she produced a match-winning double: a brilliant 4/16 from her four overs and a rapid unbeaten 17 from just seven balls, sealing victory for Australia A by four runs. Earlier in the year, she also made her mark against the visiting England A side—claiming 5/25 in a 50-over match in Sydney after scoring a composed 54 in the four-day fixture.

David and Sianna in South Africa during the U19 women’s World Cup in 2022

 Early Life

 Sianna’s cricketing story began in the backyard with her family and on the streets of her Townsville neighbourhood, often playing alongside boys. By age nine, she had joined Norths in Townsville, while also excelling in soccer, representing North Queensland girls’ teams and turning out for both boys’ and girls’ club sides.

She attended Pimlico High School—alma mater of former Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson—and still treasures a ball signed by Johnson, gifted to her by her Maths teacher, a close friend of the cricketer.

Her development continued with selections in North Queensland boys’ teams up to U15 level, alongside representing Queensland at U13, U15 and U19 level in girls’ competitions, as well as the North Queensland Country Women’s side. Her performances earned her a place in the national underage pathway, representing Australia U15 and U19, before being selected for the U19 World Cup in South Africa in January 2023.

To further her cricket, Sianna moved to Brisbane in Year 10, attending Kedron State High and joining Valleys Cricket Club. From there, she progressed into the Queensland Fire and Brisbane Heat squads, and now represents Australia A.

Back home in Townsville, Sianna’s passion for cricket was honed through countless evenings at the James Cook University nets. She would head down with her dad and the rest of the family—often after 5pm, once the tropical heat had eased—to train alongside others and sharpen her skills.

Sianna in action at the U13 Queensland regional carnival in Mackay in 2017

Left: With family after the recent match against India A in Brisbane, Middle: Sianna with parents, Lakshini and David after winning the U19 nationals for Queensland in Adelaide, and Right: Siblings - Sharnelle, Sianna and Jarrod

Family

Sianna’s dad, David Ginger, was an exceptional student at St. Anthony’s College, Kandy, during the 1970s. Excelling in both academics and sport, he proudly represented the College in cricket, rugby, and basketball. In recognition of his all-round achievements, he was awarded the prestigious Bede Memorial Medal in 1977, presented to the most outstanding student of the year.

On the cricket field, David played First XI for four consecutive seasons as an all-rounder from 1975 to 1978, serving as vice-captain under Russel de la Motte in his final year. He often reminisced about his early boarding days—living in Rainbow Cottage, Mansion, and the Villa since 1968—and the joy of playing cricket on the matting. Reflecting on those times, David said, “I still remember watching the college cricket games that began at noon—Jack Robertson, Randy Sims, Mahesh, Merril, and the others back in 1968, including the mercurial Gamini Debahapuwa, who later coached us, and most importantly, Mr. Muthalib.”

Left: David (in 1975) when he made his First XI debut for College, Middle: As vice captain (seated third from right) to Russel de la Motte in 1978, Right: David in 1977

Following his school career, he pursued a degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Peradeniya before migrating to Australia in 1985.

After a period in engineering consultancy and two years at Texas Tech University in the U.S., David (known also as John) joined the Cyclone Testing Station (CTS) in Townsville as a Research Fellow in 1996. His work has focused on wind engineering, particularly through testing in the Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel. Today, he is a Professor and Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at James Cook University and also serves as Research Director of the CTS. Over the past 25 years, he has built extensive expertise in wind loading and environmental wind effects through numerous research projects.

Together with his wife Lakshini, David has three children: Jarrod, a doctor; Sharnelle, currently studying medicine at the University of Queensland; and Sianna, whose cricketing journey continues to grow.

For David, watching Sianna carve her own path in cricket is a source of immense pride—reminding him of his own disciplined pursuit of excellence, whether in sport or engineering. And for Sianna, her father’s example of dedication is always an inspiration. Their journeys show a shared spirit of determination and passion, linking generations and building a legacy that continues to inspire.