Scorchers turn up heat for Women’s Big Bash League

The state women’s team announced 19-year-old Banting as a wicketkeeper and batsman last week.

She said the team was “definitely confident” for the season.

“We’ve been through the hard yards; this is the biggest pre-season I’ve ever been in,” Banting said.

The WBBL starts in December, when the Scorchers play their first home game against Brisbane Heat on December 11.

There will be 59 matches in the competition, with the final scheduled for January 24.

After playing for Australia 14 times, Wembley Downs resident Nicole Bolton (26) will captain the team.

Banting said women’s cricket was heading in an “awesome” direction.

“It’s the first year of the Women’s Big Bash League and it’s a bit overdue but it’s the perfect time for where Australian cricket is at,” she said.

Banting, who has played cricket for 10 years, said the team had a good range of age and experience.

“It will come down to how we gel as a team,” she said.

“I definitely look up to people like Charlotte Edwards, she has played for 15 years internationally.”

The Scorchers signed Edwards, the England captain, to the WBBL team in August.