Ex-croc handler, tennis pro add bite to Fire squad

Queensland will look to an ex-crocodile handler and a former tennis pro for some extra bite as they hunt a place in the Women’s National Cricket League final this weekend.

Former Australia allrounder Megan White and former professional tennis player Ash Barty have been named in the Konica Minolta Fire’s squad to play South Australia and Western Australia this weekend.

Barty, who was ranked No.129 in the world in singles and won the Wimbledon Girls championship in 2011, made the switch to cricket earlier this year and has signed with the Brisbane Heat for the Women’s Big Bash League.

She will make her state debut if selected in either of Queensland’s matches this weekend, while White is in line to play her first game for the Fire since 2008.

Since the last time she was seen in Queensland colours, 35-year-old White spent time living and working in the Northern Territory, where her jobs included a role as an animal handler at Crocosaurus Cove in Darwin.

There, one of her tasks was to collect clutches of eggs from crocodiles enclosures while other handlers tried to distract the protective females in the pen.

White played 76 games for Queensland between 1997 and 2008 and represented the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in one ODI.

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Megan White in action in 2006 // Getty Images

Fire coach Andy Richards said 19-year-old Barty would benefit from being a part of the Fire squad for the first time.

She has scored two half-centuries already this summer since making her grade cricket debut.

"It’s a good opportunity for Ash to be around the group preparing for the weekend matches," he said.

"She’s been working hard at training with the Fire and also enjoying her cricket with Wests so this is going to be a great learning opportunity for her."

Richards also welcomed the return of White to the Queensland side after a lengthy absence.

"She came back to play cricket just for the fun of it towards the end of last season and has shown us that she is still a very capable player indeed with her efforts for Sandgate-Redcliffe,’’ he said.

"Megan is a skilful and wise cricketer who has worked very hard to get back to this level. I am sure she will do a good job for us," he said.

With five teams still in contention for the WNCL final on November 28, the Fire need to win both matches and rely on other results to make the top two.

Queensland Fire squad: Delissa Kimmince  (capt), Jemma Barsby, Ash Barty, Holly Ferling, Grace Harris, Courtney Hill, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney, Kirby Short, Kara Sutherland, Megan White.