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From Under 12s to the big time

Wellington and McGrath have shared their rise through the ranks and could make their national bows together in Coffs Harbour

South Australian young guns Tahlia McGrath and Amanda-Jade Wellington first came across each other in Under 12s cricket in Adelaide.

Since then, they've shared a dressing room in various SA underage XIs, won a Women's National Cricket League title with the SA Breezair Scorpions, played the first season of the Rebel Women's Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers and travelled to Sri Lanka with the Shooting Stars development squad.

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On Friday, the South Australian pair once again found themselves sharing a major step in their cricket careers, boarding a plane for Coffs Harbour together after being called into the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars one-day squad for the final two ODIs against South Africa.

"I've been with Amanda through Under 12s and we’ve come through underage and played a lot of cricket together, so it makes a lot easier having Amanda here," McGrath told cricket.com.au during her first full day as an Australia squad member in Coffs Harbour.

Wellington agreed, explaining: "If we get to debut together, that'll be something special."

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Allrounder McGrath, 21, and leg-spinner Wellington, 19, have long been identified as future Australian prospects.

With incumbent Australia leg-spinner Kristen Beams ruled out of the final two ODIs after undergoing surgery on a fractured right little finger, Wellington appears poised to make her debut in Sunday's fourth ODI against the Proteas.

Should the opportunity arise, the teenager – who taught herself to bowl leg-spin in her backyard growing up after being inspired by the heroics of Shane Warne – will be ready.

"It's such a good feeling (to be called up), I wasn't expecting it throughout the WNCL season," Wellington said.

"It's always been at the back of my mind but I didn't want to think about it too much, so it was such an awesome surprise.

"I'm stoked with my form, a few years ago and throughout last season I wasn't as consistent as I have been this year, so I'm very happy with it.

"I'd like to think I'll take my opportunity if it comes and hopefully step up."

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McGrath, who was also a talented junior soccer player before deciding to focus on ball and willow, feels she too is ready for the step up to international level after making significant improvements to both aspects of her game already this summer.

Allrounder Ellyse Perry sat out the third ODI due to a groin concern and should she not be fit to return on Sunday, a door could be opened for a second debutant.

"It's really exciting, it's something every Australian cricketer dreams of," McGrath said.

"I think I can bring a new sort of energy to the group with bat or ball, so hopefully I can take my opportunity and have some good performances.

"This season I've taken my game to a new level and had a little more consistency. I've taken on more of an allrounder role as well, moving up the order and taking the new ball as well."

The pair has recent experience against the South Africans, having played in the Governor-General's XI game earlier this month.

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McGrath took 2-34 before scoring 30 batting at No.3, while Wellington took 2-25 off nine overs, including the key wickets of Lizelle Lee and Mignon de Preez.

The South Australians spent their first morning with the Australian squad taking part in an all-important aspect of life on tour – the hunt for quality coffee – before hitting the training track for their first session at Coffs International Stadium.

"I know a few of them from underage camps and I've played against them, but I didn't know them that well," McGrath said.

"It's good to get to know some of them, they're a group, they're really welcoming and good fun to be around."

Australia have a 3-nil lead heading into the final two matches in Coffs Harbour, with the final two games to be played on November 27 and 29.

Entry is FREE and both games will be streamed live and free on cricket.com.au, the Cricket Australia Live app and on the Southern Stars Facebook page.