Queensland add star power to squad

Queensland have pulled off a major coup, signing reigning Women’s National Cricket League player of the year Georgia Redmayne for the upcoming 2019-20 season.

Redmayne, who has relocated from Tasmania, is one of three new faces in the Fire squad for this summer’s domestic 50-over competition.

A qualified doctor who recently completed her Bachelor of Medical Studies and Doctor of Medicine at the University of NSW, Redmayne has relocated to Queensland to take up a one-year placement at the Tweed Hospital.

Her off-field career move is the Fire’s gain, with her arrival to bolster an already strong Queensland group who finished runners-up to NSW last summer, and who possess three Australian-contracted players in Beth Mooney, Jess Jonassen and Delissa Kimmince.

Redmayne, a wicketkeeper-batter who originally hails from NSW, scored 275 runs for Tasmania last summer at 45.83 and snared seven catches and four stumpings.

But it’s likely the 25-year-old left-hander will take on a batting-only role at Queensland, who already possess Australia batter (and reserve ‘keeper) Mooney in their group, alongside up-and-coming ‘keeper Josie Dooley.

Other additions to the Fire squad are Mikayla Hinkley, who has moved from NSW, while local teenager Lilly Mills, an off-spinning allrounder, has also been contracted by the Fire for the first time.

Three members of last season’s squad have departed, with former Australian player Jess Duffin opting to focus on her AFLW career while Dutch international Sterre Kalis has returned to the Netherlands, and Tess Cooper was not contracted.

Konica Minolta Queensland Fire Squad: Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Megan Dixon, Josie Dooley, Holly Ferling, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jess Jonassen (CA contracted), Delissa Kimmince (CA contracted), Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney (CA contracted), Georgia Prestwidge, Georgia Redmayne, Courtney Sippell, Kirby Short