WBBL/07: Sydney Sixers schoolgirl Claire Moore replaces Hayley Silver-Holmes

They were schoolmates and played NSW Premier Cricket together. Now this Sydney teenager is heading to the WBBL as a replacement for her bestie.

Sydney schoolgirl Claire Moore still has one more exam to sit for her HSC and she will be doing it in the most unlikely of places.

The teenager will do her PE exam while on tour with the Sydney Sixers after being nabbed by the club in an unexpected - and late - move.

Moore, the leading run scorer in NSW Women’s Premier Cricket last seasons, has been called in to replace the injured allrounder Hayley Silver-Holmes, a player the young gun has been teammates with at Parramatta in Sydney grade and is on the comeback from hip surgery.

Young cricketer Claire Moore with her mate Hayley Silver-Holmes. Pic: Supplied

They are also best mates after both teenagers attended Hills Sports High in Seven Hills as talented cricketer.

“We were the only two girls in the cricket program in Year Seven,’’ Moore said from Hobart ahead of the opening round of WBBL matches next week.

“So growing up with her and watching her, she has become my closest friend.

“I’ve been so excited for watching her success.”

“I really feel for Hayley. She is such a good player and has so much talent. I hope I can take this opportunity with both hands and represent both of us.”

The 17-year-old from Richmond was introduced to the game by her older brother Patrick and played her junior cricket locally and at Hawkesbury before moving to Penrith and Parramatta as her career accelerated.

Hayley Silver-Holmes celebrates with Sixers teammate Alyssa Healy in 2020.

She was offered a contract with the NSW Breakers this season but was still shocked when she got the call-up to replace Silver-Holmes.

“I’d be very nervous if I did get that debut. That would be crazy but I'd be honoured to do it,’’ she said.

Moore will be playing alongside the likes of Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Ash Gardner and the star Indian duo of Shafali Verma and Radha Yadav.

The Sixers begin their WBBL|07 campaign against the Melbourne Stars on October 14 at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE