Milly Illingworth, a young Australian pace bowler, is gaining fame for her explosive bowling speed and unique action. She was recently acquired by Mumbai Indians in the WPL 2026 auction.
A promising Australian cricketer, Milly Illingworth, has drawn attention for her lightning pace and distinctive bowling technique. The right-arm fast bowler employs a slingy action inspired by cricket legend Jeff Thomson. Born on 15th July 2005 in Geelong, her journey in professional cricket began to attract widespread notice when she represented Australia in the U19 World Cup held in 2023. Milly Illingworth's growing popularity in Australian cricket stems primarily from her extraordinary bowling speed. Hailing from Victoria, she spent her formative years in the coastal town of Port Campbell. As a fast bowler, she delivers quick deliveries that challenge batsmen consistently. She has competed for Victoria in domestic cricket and recently switched to the Melbourne Renegades for the Women's Big Bash League. In the WPL 2026 auction, the Mumbai Indians secured her services for 10 lakh INR. Below is a comprehensive overview of her career and personal background. Born in Australia, Milly Illingworth does not follow the Indian caste system, as it is not applicable in her country. Her religious beliefs remain undisclosed since she maintains a highly private personal life and has not shared such details publicly. Her rapid ascent in cricket has astounded many observers, particularly given her pace bowling. Born on July 15, 2005, in Geelong, Victoria, she was raised in the small coastal town of Port Campbell. The distance from her hometown to training facilities meant her family endured lengthy commutes to support her development. Her family played an instrumental role in shaping her path to becoming a professional cricketer. Milly Illingworth's father, Simon Illingworth, has been a significant influence, though limited information exists about him apart from a few Instagram photos. Reports suggest he encouraged her to bowl at high speeds and even drove her three hours from Port Campbell to Melbourne and back for practice sessions. Her mother, a homemaker, has been a pillar of support throughout her career, though details about her remain scarce. There is no public information regarding Milly Illingworth’s siblings. Information about any brothers or sisters is entirely absent, leaving it uncertain whether she has any family members or if she is an only child. On the platform X (formerly Twitter), Milly Illingworth does not maintain a highly active or verified account, unlike several other prominent female cricketers. She is less engaged on this social media channel. She does not have an officially verified Facebook profile like many global cricket stars. While fan pages may exist, she primarily relies on Instagram for sharing updates about her career and life. Milly Illingworth wears the jersey number 51 while playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the Women's Big Bash League. She aims to make this number iconic as she joins the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League. Still in the early stages of her career, Milly Illingworth keeps her personal affairs tightly guarded and avoids discussing relationships on any social platform. Her focus remains firmly on refining her bowling speed and cricket training. Details about Milly Illingworth’s romantic life are not available to the public. She has not posted any photographs with a partner on Instagram nor mentioned dating anyone in interviews. It appears she is currently unattached or chooses to keep her love life out of the spotlight. Milly Illingworth’s net worth remains undetermined due to her status as an emerging talent rather than a senior player. However, her earnings are on the rise, supported by match fees from representing Victoria in the Women’s National Cricket League and the Melbourne Renegades in the WBBL. She first caught the cricketing world’s attention during the 2023 U19 World Cup, where she represented Australia. Playing a pivotal role, she delivered fast bouncers and claimed crucial wickets. A year later, she made her state-level debut for Victoria against Western Australia, taking four wickets for 41 runs and proving her readiness for higher-level competition. At just 20 years old, Milly Illingworth has not yet amassed a long list of major accolades like some senior players such as Smriti Mandhana. Nonetheless, her achievements at this stage are remarkable. She has earned a Player of the Match award in a World Cup fixture and claimed wickets on her domestic debut. While trophies are not her defining feature, her pace makes her a highly promising asset for Australia’s women’s cricket team. Below is a detailed list of her achievements and awards. How fast can Milly Illingworth bowl? She regularly bowls at speeds around 120 km/h, with recorded deliveries reaching up to 121 km/h. She is recognized for her explosive pace and distinctive slingy bowling action reminiscent of Jeff Thomson. Which team will Milly Illingworth represent in the WPL? Milly Illingworth will compete for the Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League. All images are used for editorial purposes only. Licensed exclusively via Getty/Source.