SOUTH-WEST rising stars Milly Illingworth and Maddie Green have overcome injuries to get another crack at testing themselves against the country's best cricketers.
The duo, both 14, scored their second straight selection in the 13-player Vic Country squad bound for February's Cricket Australia under 15 female national championships in Canberra.
Nirranda's Illingworth and Port Fairy's Green made their national championship debuts as bottom-agers last season when Vic Country finished third.
Illingworth, who recently recovered from a broken collarbone to clock a 106km/h bowl, is feeling positive about herself after having a strong start to life with Women's Premier Cricket side Essendon Maribyrnong Park.
"I'm feeling more confident for nationals this year because I've had a lot of training," she said.
"Getting the level of coaching I have has helped me and has been good for my improvement."
Green, who also recently recovered from a back injury, has her sights set on another representative team at the end of the carnival.
"I want to perform well because if I do well I can make it into the Australian under 18 side and that is my goal for this year," she said.
Illingworth will form part of Country's bowling attack while Green will play her part with both bat and ball.
The Western Waves' under 17 teammates are full of confidence after playing in a curtain-raiser match alongside Jorja Couch before the Melbourne Renegades and Stars match last weekend.