The NSW Breakers have named a 13-player squad to take on Tasmania in two Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) fixtures at Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park, this week.
Cheatle returns to Breakers squad for Tasmania fixtures
The Breakers will look to bounce back to winning ways, after suffering consecutive defeats in their previous two outings against Victoria, when they host Tasmania at 10:00am (Sydney time) on Friday and again on Sunday from 10:00am.
Lauren Cheatle has been listed in the NSW 13 for the first time this summer following a successful Weber WBBL|09 season with the Sydney Sixers, which culminated in a call-up to the Australian Women’s Cricket Team.
Cheatle, who finished as the joint Sixers' WBBL|09 leading wicket-taker alongside Ash Gardner with 21, earned Baggy Green #184, making her international Test debut against India at Wankhede Stadium.
Sammy-Jo Johnson retains the captaincy in the absence of regular skipper Alyssa Healy, and is joined in the side by WBBL|09 title-winner Georgia Adams, as well as Erin Burns, who claimed Player of the Match honours in the Breakers’ WNCL opener against Queensland at Cricket Central.
Healy, Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield are unavailable for selection due to national team duties. Hannah Darlington was not considered as she manages a lower back injury.
Head of Female Elite Cricket at Cricket NSW, Leah Poulton said:
“We’re all really proud of Lauren and what she’s achieving. We love it when our players represent Australia, it’s what we strive we for as a program and as an organisation.
“In saying that, it’s amazing to have her back on the park for us. Her presence, not only as a cricketer, but also as a teammate and a leader, adds so much value to the playing group.
“The team is excited to play at Cricket Central again. Although the venue is relatively new, it definitely feels like home, and any opportunity we have to play at our home ground is really special.”
Both matches will be streamed on cricket.com.au.
NSW Breakers squad to play Tasmania on January 5 and 7 at Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park: Georgia Adams, Jade Allen, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Sarah Coyte, Saskia Horley, Sammy-Jo Johnson ©, Anika Learoyd, Isabella Malgioglio, Claire Moore, Tahlia Wilson