Women from Western Australia could nominate up to five debutants for their Women’s National Cricket League opening game after releasing their 14-player squad for the double-header in Brisbane this weekend. Young players like Molly Healy, Sheldyn Cooper and Meg Thompson have gone with the squad for games against Queensland and Tasmania, with the trio getting through the WA women Cricket Pathway. Capable hitter Ashley Day and experienced wicketkeeper Emma Inglis could likewise play their first games for WA after crossing from Tasmania and Victoria individually.
Coach Lisa Keightley said that preparing for their fresh campaign’s first matches was fantastic.
“The team has worked really hard over the winter months and we can’t wait to get stuck into this first challenge,” she told to The West Australian.
“It’s exciting to have a few new faces within the program. Molly Healy has moved through our female pathway and is an exciting prospect for the future of WA cricket.
“Ashley Day has settled into the squad really well, she is a talented batter and I’m looking forward to seeing what she can produce for us throughout the season.
“We’ll be working hard to get a couple of wins early in this new extended WNCL format, which will help set us up for the back end of the season.”
New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine returns for her second tour and together with Nicole Bolton will be providing plenty of expertise at the top of the batting order.
Skipper Chloe Piparo said that for the first round of matches, the balance of experience on the side and youth would put them in high regard.
“Getting away as a group is always a great experience and to have that time with the new players in the squad will be fantastic,” skipper said.
“Playing Queensland and Tasmania will be a great test first up, we’ll be looking to turn the tables from our last round of WNCL last year where both sides got the better of us.
“I think we match up on paper really well and I’m confident that we’ve put in the preparation to be able to perform against both sides this weekend.”
Squad of WA women’s WNCL: Chloe Piparo (C), Megan Banting, Nicole Bolton, Piepa Cleary, Sheldyn Cooper (new), Ashley Day (new), Sophie Devine, Amy Edgar, Molly Healy (new), Kathleen Hempenstall, Emma Inglis (new), Emma King, Taneale Peschel, Meg Thompson (new).
This news was first published in ‘The West Australian’
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