SACA Premier Cricket top 10 women’s players to watch this season including Courtney Webb, Rachel Church, Alex Price
From rising stars to new recruits and veterans set to lead their sides – we’ve got the top 10 women’s players to watch this SACA Premier Cricket season. See who made the list.
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SA’s top women’s cricket competitions are underway, with round three of the first and second grade Twenty20 matches playing out last weekend and one-day games beginning next month.
Each club boasts impressive talent this year, from gun recruits to rising stars and champion veterans.
Listed by club in alphabetical order, The Messenger has picked the top 10 players to watch this season.
HANNAH ARMSTRONG
(Adelaide)
New Adelaide captain Hannah Armstrong said she wanted to “smack some boundaries and set the team up well” when she joined the club in the pre-season and she has done just that.
The 22-year-old opening batter has scored totals of 73, 73 and 29 not out in her first three Twenty20 games to lead her side to three straight wins.
Joining from Southern District, Armstrong is driven to lead the club to premierships and looks poised to come close to that promise.
NICOLE COLLIE
(Adelaide University)
All-rounder Nicole Collie is set for a big season according to University coach Alex Gajewska.
Also a SANFL player with the Eagles, the 27-year-old boasts supreme athleticism and can do it all whether it be with the ball, bat or in the field.
She has been opening for the Blacks so far this season and will be a key veteran player throughout 21-22.
“Batting is her main strength and with her experience in multiple sports she’ll be an important leader,” Gajewska said.
ANESU MUSHANGWE
(Glenelg)
Glenelg first grade captain and Zimbabwe representative Anesu Mushangwe is set to be a dangerous all-rounder, according to assistant coach Jason Gentle.
A consistent top order batter and a dangerous bowler, Mushangwe could be the boost the Seahorses need to go all the way this season.
“She can bat anywhere from open to mid order and is really stylish and aggressive at the crease,” Gentle said.
“Her leg spin bowling is her true gift though and she has the ability to restrict scoring and take wickets with her crafty variations.
“We’re in the game whenever she has the ball in hand.”
COURTNEY WEBB
(Glenelg)
Tasmanian Courtney Webb, who is currently playing for the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League, could be the first grade competition’s most dangerous player upon return to Glenelg.
The talented batter featured for the Seahorses in their opening Twenty20 against Adelaide Uni and scored a huge 131 runs off 67 balls.
Recently being awarded the best catch in the WBBL, she can also take over a match in the field.
“She’s a stylish right-hander who can win a game off her own bat and she’s electric as a fielder,” Glenelg assistant coach Jason Gentle said.
RACHEL CHURCH
(Kensington)
Kensington captain Sarah Lowe is expecting a strong year from keeper and batter Rachel Church.
An SA Scorpions representative last season, Church has looked comfortable behind the stumps and at the crease and could be set for a breakout year.
“She’s going to open or bat at three for us and we’re excited to see what she can do,” Church said.
“She finished the season really well last year and had a really strong off-season in terms of fitness and batting improvement.”
ELIZA DODDRIDGE
(Kensington)
All-rounder Eliza Doddridge has been showing signs of being one of the most dominant players in women’s cricket.
The 22-year-old who plays for the Scorpions and has played for the Strikers in the BBL has made impressive totals of 43 not out, 48 not out and 61 not out so far this year.
She has also shown potential as a bowler and will be used regularly in the attack throughout this season.
TEGAN MCPHARLIN
(Northern District)
Another SA Scorpion and WBBL player for the Adelaide Strikers, veteran Tegan McPharlin has the ability to tally big scores consistently as an opening batter.
She has totals of 53 and 43 for the Jets this season and has yet again shown great leadership behind the stumps as wicketkeeper.
McPharlin will undoubtedly be a threat to opposition teams on return from WBBL.
HANNAH CLARKE
(Southern District)
Hannah Clarke has shown promise as a consistent all-rounder for the Stingrays.
Clarke’s strength is as a bowler, and after recently recording an impressive two wickets against Glenelg she looks to be a mainstay in Southern’s attack.
She can also provide with the bat as a top order or middle order batter.
ALEX PRICE
(Sturt)
Former Adelaide Strikers and SA Scorpions all-rounder Alex Price will be the Blues’ star player this season.
The 25-year-old already has 115 runs and five wickets to her name in grade cricket this year.
As captain, she will be looking to lead from the front for Sturt and should dominate once the day games roll around.
MAGGIE CLARK
(West Torrens)
At just 14 years old, right-handed fast bowler Maggie Clark is set to take SA cricket by storm for West Torrens, according to captain Jess Joseph.
The young star from Jamestown has already shown great promise in her debut first grade year, recently taking four wickets in a win against Adelaide University.
Clark is also handy with the bat and can produce at the top or middle order.
“She’s a really promising player who shows great variations in her bowling,” Joseph said.
“She debuted for the club at second grade level at a really young age in 2018/19 and we’re looking forward to seeing her evolve this season.”
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