THE western suburbs will be well represented in this year’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) with five players in the Perth Scorchers squad who begin their campaign this weekend.
The Scorchers, who made the semi-finals last season, travelled to Sydney on Thursday for matches against the Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday and Sunday to start the second edition of the WBBL.
The squad, coached by former Australia batswoman Lisa Keightley, includes a mix of local and international players, including England internationals Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole and New Zealand skipper Suzie Bates.
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READ NOWSubiaco Floreat quartet Nicole Bolton, Heather Graham, Megan Banting and Emma King along with University’s Emily Smith are in the squad.
Bolton is a regular at the top order for the Southern Stars and will be looking to bring her good form from the recent series against South Africa into the WBBL.
Graham (20) has improved significantly with both bat and ball and was one of the stand-outs in this season’s Women’s National Cricket League, leading to her inclusion in the Governor-General’s XI last month in Sydney.
Banting will be crucial behind the stumps for the Scorchers, with the 20-year-old’s aggressive batting style to hold her in good stead for a great season.
King, who teaches physical education at St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls, is a promising 24-year-old spinner who has also shown great signs during the WNCL.
Smith (21) comes into the Scorchers set-up to provide wicketkeeping depth, after playing with the Hobart Hurricanes in WBBL 01.