Townsville cricketer Sianna Ginger signs Women’s Big Bash League deal with Brisbane Heat

A Townsville junior has secured a Big Bash contract to become the region’s first Brisbane Heat player since Charters Towers all-rounder Haidee Birkett. Read more about the incredible feat.

Sianna Ginger poses during a Brisbane Heat 2024-25 WBBL Headshots Session at National Cricket Centre on July 03, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Cricket Australia)

Townsville cricketer Sianna Ginger has secured a professional contract to become the region’s first Brisbane Heat player since Charters Towers all-rounder Haidee Birkett donned the teal.

The rising talent of women’s cricket made the move to Brisbane in 2021 after honing her craft for Norths in Townsville during her junior years and has since flourished with appearances for her state and country in under-19s.

Still just 18 years old, Ginger started captaining Queensland’s under-19s side two summers ago and has been a standout for Valley District cricket club since moving south.

Ginger said the prospect of playing a Women’s Big Bash game at the famous Gabba was an exciting thought.

“It’s really exciting, I’ve grown up watching the Brisbane Heat and Queensland all my life so to have the opportunity to play here with the Heat is really exciting,” Ginger said.

Sianna Ginger made her senior Queensland Fire debut in the 2022-23 season while still at high school, playing 13 matches in the Women’s National Cricket League including last year’s decider. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images for Cricket Australia)

“You see even the test matches at the start of every summer the men play at the Gabba and to have the opportunity to play there will be really cool.

“Hopefully I can bring a bit of energy and something new to the group. We’re going to look a lot different so it’ll be interesting to see how we go.

“Hopefully in time I can be a bit more of a role model for regional players.”

Ginger made her senior Queensland Fire debut in the 2022-23 season while still at high school, playing 13 matches in the Women’s National Cricket League including last year’s decider.

Sianna Ginger of Australia Gold bowls during day one of the Cricket Australia Green v Gold - 3 Day Domestic at Karen Rolton Oval on March 05, 2024 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images for Cricket Australia)

She offers sharp right-hand fast bowling and reliable middle-order batting.

Brisbane Heat WBBL coach Mark Sorell said he was delighted to welcome Ginger to the squad as well as Mikayla Wrigley and Bonnie Berry.

“They will bring great energy and positivity to the group, as well as developing their skills further,’’ Sorell said.

“Bonnie has been pushing for a chance for a few seasons now, Sianna has shown with the Fire that she is ready to take the next step on her cricketing pathway and Mikayla has flourished every step of the way in our system so far.”

WBBL|10 Brisbane Heat squad (to date): Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk (Int), Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Georgia Redmayne, Mikayla Wrigley.

Originally published as Townsville cricketer Sianna Ginger signs Women’s Big Bash League deal with Brisbane Heat