NSW add seven to WNCL squad

New South Wales have named a new-look squad for the upcoming Women’s National Cricket League season, with seven new faces joining the Lend Lease Breakers contract list for 2017-18.

The Breakers have named a 19-player squad for their WNCL title defence, with six teenagers earning their first state contracts: Carly Leeson (18), Hannah Trethewy (18), Mikayla Hinkley (19), Rachel Trenaman (16), Saskia Horley (17) and Tahlia Wilson (17).

NSW have also welcomed back Lisa Griffith, with the pace bowler returning after taking a break from the game.

The new faces in the Breakers squad is balanced by a wealth of international experience, including Australian contracted players Alex Blackwell, Rachael Haynes, Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy and Lauren Cheatle and recent debutants Sarah Aley and Belinda Vakarewa.

"We’ve got an exciting summer of cricket coming up with 19 really talented players in our squad this year,” Breakers coach Joanne Broadbent said.  

"We have an incredible depth of talent in the squad, with a diverse mix of players, youth and experience this year.”

Departing the Breakers are Ashleigh Gardner, who has moved to South Australia, and Stefanie Daffara, who has signed with Tasmania. 

The Breakers have won 18 of the 21 titles since the formation of the WNCL and will again be lead by experienced captain Blackwell, alongside vice-captain Perry.

NSW were the final squad to name their 2017-18 contract lists ahead of the start of the WNCL season on October 6.

CA contracted players: Alex Blackwell (c), Lauren Cheatle, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry

Full contracts: Sarah Aley, Nicola Carey. Rene Farrell, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Mikayla Hinkey, Saskia Horley, Carly Leeson, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Hannah Rachel Trenaman, Trethewy,  Belinda Vakarewa, Tahlia Wilson

WNCL squads 2017-18

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ACT Meteors

The ACT Meteors have landed a major coup, signing star South Africa pair Dane van Niekerk and Marizanne Kapp.

South Africa captain Van Niekerk was the leading wicket-taker at the recent Women’s World Cup in the United Kingdom, capturing 15 scalps at 10 with her leg-spin, ahead of speedster Kapp who took 13 wickets and who is currently the world’s No.1-ranked ODI bowler.

Van Niekerk and Kapp top off a promising 14-player ACT list, which has also seen the additions of Erin Burns from Tasmania, former New Zealand international Hayley Jensen from Victoria and talented young batter Clara Iemma, who represented NSW Metro at last summer’s Under-18 National Championships.

Full contracts: Sam Bates, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Nicole Goodwin, Nicola Hancock, Clara Iemma, Hayley Jensen, Marizanne Kapp, Claire Koski, Emily Leys, Katie Mack, Erin Osborne, Ange Reakes, Dane vaan Niekerk

Queensland Fire

Top-order batter Kirby Short will captain the Konica Minolta Queensland Fire this season after taking over from allrounder Delissa Kimmince during the 2016-17 season.

She’ll lead a 14-player squad featuring Australian contracted pair Jess Jonassen and Beth Mooney, while two new players join the Fire – Carly Fuller and Josie Dooley.

Fuller toured India with the Australian Indigenous Women’s team while Dooley, 17, was selected in Fire squads last summer without playing a match.

CA contracted players: Beth Mooney, Jess Jonassen

Full contracts: Kirby Short (c), Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Tess Cooper, Josey Dooley, Holly Ferling, Carly Fuller, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Courtney Hill, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Delissa Kimmince, Georgia Prestwidge, Kara Sutherland

Image Id: 1E1F539E875B49969AFE794E643E4FA0 Image Caption: The Scorpions have recruited Ashleigh Gardner // Getty

South Australia Scorpions

South Australia have secured the services of one of the country’s brightest young talents, announcing Australia allrounder Ashleigh Gardner as one of five additions to their contract list.

Gardner joins the Scorpions from her native New South Wales, where she played a role in helping the Breakers claim the 2016-17 WNCL title.

The 20-year-old became only the second indigenous woman in 59 years to represent Australia when she made her T20 International debut earlier this year, while she played all eight matches for her country at the recent Women’s World Cup.

The Scorpions have made five additions to their 2017-18 squad, with Gardner joined by Eliza Doddridge, Ellen Falconer, Annie O’Neill and Tabatha Saville – with all four earning their first state contracts.

They replace former international Sarah Coyte, who has retired from cricket, while former England captain Charlotte Edwards will not return this summer.

CA contracted players: Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington

Full contracts: Samantha Betts, Eliza Doddridge, Ellen Falconer, Ashleigh Gardner, Brooke Harris, Sarah Lowe, Tahlia McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Annie O’Neill, Bridget Patterson, Brittany Perry, Katelyn Pope, Alex Price

Tasmanian Roar

Tasmania’s WNCL squad features four newcomers. With Burns departing for the ACT and former Australian seamer Julie Hunter retiring, the Roar have recruited Stefanie Daffara from NSW and signed locals Erin Fazackerley and Courtney Webb to their 2017-18 roster.

Laura Wright has also earned a full contract after playing for the Roar last summer.

Full contracts: Stefanie Daffara, Emily Divin, Erin Fazackerley, Katelyn Fryett, Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Isobel Joyce, Meg Phillips, Veronica Pyke (c), Celeste Raack. Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Webb, Laura Wright

Image Id: 9C4C6CCFC8A54CDDB48D82FA16FC8F2C Image Caption: Beams is captain in Lanning's absence // Getty

Victoria Spirit

Australia leg-spinner Kristen Beams will lead a new-look Commonwealth Bank VicSpirit side with regular captain Meg Lanning sidelined for up to eight months after undergoing shoulder surgery.

She’ll be assisted by vice-captain Molly Strano and will be in charge of a new-look team, which has signed seven new players and bid farewell to five in addition to the absence of Lanning.

Joining the Spirit are former Western Australia pace bowler Gemma Triscari, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham, Nicole Faltum and Rhiann O’Donnell.

Former Australian batter Jess Cameron heads the departures, alongside Emma Kearney, Kristy Lamb, Hayley Jensen (who has moved to the ACT Meteors) and the retired Sarah Elliot.

CA contracted players: Kristen Beams (c), Meg Lanning

Full contracts: Makinley Blows, Hayleigh Brennan, Nicole Faltum, Emma Inglis, Alana King, Anna Lanning, Sophie Molineux, Rhiann O’Donnell, Chloe Rafferty, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Gemma Triscari, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Western Fury

The Alcohol.Think Again Fury have named a 15-player contract list for the WNCL season with Sheldyn Cooper and Amy Edgar the only new additions, while Emma Biss has lost her contract.

The Fury possess two internationals in the set-up, with Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton both retaining their Australian contracts for 2017-18.

CA contracted players: Nicole Bolton, Elyse Villani

Full contracts: Megan Banting, Nicole Bolton, Melissa Cameron, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Sheldyn Cooper, Bhavisha Devchand, Amy Edgar, Heather Graham, Katie Jane Hartshorn, Emma King, Tanaele Peschel,  Chloe Piparo, Emily Smith, Elyse Villani

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Schedule

First ODI Allan Border Field, October 22

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT