The 33 women to watch in the NSW Premier Cricket 2022/23 season

With the Women’s NSW Premier Cricket season about to get underway, NewsLocal takes a look at the stars and young guns from each club. See how each side is shaping up in 2022/23.

With new recruits and juniors on the rise, NewsLocal runs the rule over all 10 sides in this year’s Women’s NSW Premier Cricket competition.

Pictured is Bankstown women's cricketer Samantha Devlin at Bankstown Oval.

Bankstown (2021-22 4th)

A reliable skipper, last season Samantha Devlin led with the ball taking the most wickets in the competition. Her right-arm off spin returned 21 wickets at 13.6 and included a season best 5 for 22 in a victory over Parramatta.

Dharmini Chauhan is a top order batter with all the strokes who makes batting look easy. The technically correct right-hander commutes from Wollongong, and last season was among the club’s best performers scoring 237 runs with two half centuries.

Bankstown Sports cricketer Jade Errington collects a player of the final award. Picture: Ian Bird Photography

Jade Errington is a right-hander who has risen through the Bankstown junior ranks. A regular No.3, last season she finished with 246 runs at 22.4.

Campbelltown Camden (2021-22 7th)

Following limited appearances last season, Kelly Rowlings has returned to skipper the side. The consistent right-hander scored over 40 runs in all three of her innings last season.

Anika Learoyd batting for NSW v WA at North Sydney Oval, on September 30, 2022. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Anika Learoyd’s 319 runs at an impressive 53.2 last season has laid the foundation for her regular selection in the NSW line-up. Still only 20, the right-hander is one to keep an eye on.

Another of Campbelltown Camden’s young guns, Ebony Hoskin is a right-arm pace bowler who recently made her NSW debut. She rocked opponents last year taking 19 wickets at just 13.6.

Ebony Hoskin bowls for NSW during the WNCL match with Queensland at North Sydney Oval, on September 23, 2022. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Gordon (2021-22 9th)

Local junior Kinjal Kumari takes over as captain from the experienced Heidi Cheadle. With her career still in the formative stages, the under-19 NSW representative wicketkeeper has a diverse range of skills. A consistent right-hand batter, Kinjal is just as comfortable against the new ball or in the middle order.

Kinjal Kumari on the attack for Gordon, 2021-22. Picture supplied by Gordon CC

With the burden of captaincy removed, Cheadle is free to concentrate on taking her game to the next level. The hard hitting right-hand top order specialist has just returned from an off season in England and will be keen to replicate last season’s impressive 397 runs at 44.1.

Heidi Cheadle celebrates her 50 against Northern District CC, 2021-22. Picture supplied by Gordon CC

One of two overseas imports, Kirstie Gordon is a left arm orthodox spinner who spent the Aussie winter playing in England for the Birmingham Phoenix. With Test match experience for England, Kirstie is expected to be a valuable addition.

Beatrice Ellis joins from Gloucestershire as an under-18 representative. A right-hander, Ellis has opened for her sides in England but is expected to nail down a spot in Gordon’s middle order.

Kirstie Gordon of England Women’s Academy during Day Two of the International Friendly match with Australia Women at Marlborough College on July 12, 2019 in Marlborough, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

Manly Warringah (2021-22 5th)

Last season Mikaela Turik led the team to the brink of the finals in the club’s first season in the top grade. The Collaroy junior and Canadian representative will once again captain the side in addition to her strong middle order batting and right arm cagey change-ups.

Manly Cricket Club 2022, (L-R) Saskia Horley, Mikaela Turik and Laura Judson. Supplied: Manly CC

Saskia Horley dominated the batting charts last season with her two centuries the highlight in a whopping 646 runs at 92.3 per innings that saw her named first grade player of the year. A Scotland representative, the right-hander is currently playing for NSW in the WNCL.

Saskia Horley of the Breakers bats during the WNCL match between New South Wales and Tasmania at North Sydney Oval on March 14, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Gordon recruit Lauren Kua is a right arm leg spinner and handy top order batter. An under-19 representative player, her best performance last year was a mesmerising 6 for 10 from 10 overs against Campbelltown Camden.

One of several promising Manly juniors, Laura Judson is a right arm new ball bowler and hard hitting lower order batter who will be better for last year’s limited appearances in the top grade.

Northern District (2021-22 6th)

Kate Jackson takes over as skipper this season and having previously held the reins at Sydney, the right-hander is set for a smooth transition. A Cricket NSW employee, Kate’s weekly commute from her Port Macquarie homebase is further proof of her dedication.

A former NSW/Country under-19 captain, Grace Dignam is a capable right-hand opening batter who finished last season as the club’s leading run scorer with 321 runs at 40.1.

A young Alisha Bates, Grace Dignam and Hannah Green as members of the Champion (undefeated) NSW/ACT side at the U15 National Cricket Championships.

Abbey Taylor’s right arm off spin and left-hand power hitting has previously been recognised with a spot in the Sydney Sixers extended squad. Still in her early twenties, she is definitely one to watch.

Still only 15, Kate McTaggart is a member of the NSW Country under-19 squad and last season announced herself on the grade scene with two second grade tons. Still to receive dispensation to play first grade, her progress is certainly worth following.

Parramatta (2021-22 8th)

After leading the competition for wickets in 2020-21, captain Sophie Vaughan returned last season to take the club bowling award despite limited appearances. She is also recognised for her power hitting in Parramatta’s lower order.

Zoya Thakur is a right-arm opening pace bowler and capable top order batter who is once again representing NSW at under-19 level.

Parramatta coach Mitch Yearsley made special mention of Alex Mavros. A right-arm new ball bowler, Alex is an under-16 pathways rep destined for higher honours. She played three games in the top grade last season and along with her powerful lower order batting is considered one of the best young fielders in the competition.

Penrith (2021-22 Runner-up)

Samantha Arnold captained Penrith in last season’s grand final loss and also led from the front with the bat scoring two half centuries in a season total 276 runs at 21.2. A powerful right-hander, Samantha often opens the batting and has a reputation for not holding back.

Celebration of Women's Cricket in Penrith with the first game for the women’s First X1. Game played at Howell Oval, Penrith. Paul Goldsmith with Samantha Arnold

A noted accumulator who relishes rotating the strike, Elise Noble finished alongside her skipper with most runs for the club last season. In a team of attacking stars she is the perfect foil.

A regular on the WBBL circuit, Phoebe Litchfield recently struck her maiden WNCL century for NSW. With continuous state appearances expected, the left-hander is unlikely to be a Penrith regular.

Phoebe Litchfield of NSW bats during the WNCL match between New South Wales and Western Australia at North Sydney Oval, on October 02, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

St George-Sutherland (2021-22 3rd)

Captain Cailyn Fountain led from the front last season and finished among the top ten run scorers in the competition. A reluctant all-rounder, the right-hander scored 286 runs at 35.8 where she used her unique ability to measure her innings according to the demands of the contest.

Rhiannon Dick called upon her wealth of WBBL experience to dominate for St George-Sutherland last season. The 32-year-old left hander smashed three half centuries in amassing 413 runs at 68.8. In addition, her left arm spinners returned 18 wickets at a miserly 12.3.

Rhiannon Dick of the Adelaide Strikers signs autographs after the Women’s Big Bash League cricket match between the Hurricanes and the Strikers at Gliderol Stadium, in Glenelg, SA, on Sunday, December 10, 2017. (AAP Image/David Mariuz)

Still an under-16 NSW rep, Lucy Finn is a destructive right-hander with a bright future. Having had a taste of first grade last season, she will look to build on her eight performances in second grade where she scored 186 runs at 31 and chipped in with the ball for 8 wickets at 19.6.

Sydney (2021-22 Premiers)

Last season’s premiers have one of the strongest lists in the competition. But with the likes of Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Sammy-Jo Johnson and Maitlan Brown often on representative duty, the club will be forced to showcase its depth.

Gizelle Plummer backs up as skipper after guiding the side to last season’s title. An all rounder who has represented NSW at youth level, Plummer is a hard hitting right-hander and useful medium-pace bowler.

At 34, Maryanne Henderson is a reliable club stalwart and valuable contributor with her right-arm fast mediums and left-hand lower order batting.

Kira Churchland bowling for Sydney v Gordon at Killara Oval. Picture supplied.

Last season Kira Churchland’s right-arm off spin yielded 17 wickets at 11.8 including a best of 5 for 32. Also dangerous in the lower order, Kira and batting teammate Naomi McDonald were named in the NSW Women’s First-Grade Team of the Year.

Universities (2021-22 10th)

Isabelle Afaras will once again captain the combined Sydney University and UNSW side. Known for giving the ball a big rip, the right-arm off spinner tormented opponents last season with 11 wickets at 20.8.

In a side still recovering from the departures of several high profile performers, Frankie Nicklin faced the new ball last season crafting 129 runs at 16.1. Still an under-19s rep, the emerging right hander returns to Sydney after a winter honing her craft in England.

Another opening batter, Ciara Gibson also doubles as a wicketkeeper and NSW under-19 rep. A right-hander, Gibson is effective at rotating the strike and possesses another gear when required.