Cameron confirms return to cricket

Former Southern Stars batter Jess Cameron will return to cricket this season following a break from the game last summer.

The 26-year-old took an indefinite break from cricket last October and declared herself unavailable for national selection, including the recent ICC Women’s World T20, where Australia finished runners-up.

She played out the remainder of the 2015-16 Women's National Cricket League season with the Alcohol. Think Again Western Fury, playing her last match on November 22, but opted out of the inaugural Women's Big Bash League with the Perth Scorchers.

Instead, she played four matches for Diamond Creek in the Victorian Football League, kicking 14 goals in four matches including a bag of nine in her first game, and as recently as last month expressed an interest in joining the inaugural Women’s AFL.

But it was announced on Tuesday that Cameron would return to cricket, signing a deal with the Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit for the 2016-17 season.

Cameron has already played three Tests, 50 One-Day Internationals and 64 T20 Internationals for the Southern Stars, including their successful World T20 campaigns in 2012 and 2014 and more recently their Ashes series win in the UK last year.

It is yet to be confirmed if Cameron will play in WBBL|02, or whether or not she will be allowed to continue to pursue football.

Southern Stars teammate Ellyse Perry juggled a cricket and soccer at the highest level for several years and while she hasn't played soccer for Australia for some time, she still makes appearances in the W-League when possible.

Joining Cameron is a young and talented group of newly contracted players including Sophie Molineux, Alana King, Hayleigh Brennan and Makinley Blows.

Molineux was part of the Melbourne Renegades line-up and was also named for the Prime Minister’s XI and Shooting Stars sides.

The 18-year-old also led Victoria to their first Under 18 National Championship in 15 years and was named 'Player of the Championships', scoring 375 runs at an average of 62.5.

VicSpirit coach David Hemp said the mix of new and proven talent delivered an exciting list capable of breaking new ground under captain Meg Lanning.

“The young talent in the squad is a sign of the positive future and ongoing development of the women’s game in Victoria,” Hemp said. 

“Combine that with the strength and depth of the mature, experienced players still in the squad, and we have an exciting side.”