Players to watch in women’s Premier Cricket in 2020-21
There’s a ton of talent coming through the female ranks in Victorian cricket, from 16-year-old Ella Hayward to keeper-batters Alyssa Humphries and Sophie Reid. Remember these names for next season.
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They are not in Victoria’s state squad.
But they are 10 players to watch in women’s Premier Cricket next season.
And in the case of 16-year-olds Ella Hayward and Georgia Gall, you may get to watch them in the WBBL, both having picked up contracts with the Melbourne clubs.
Alyssa Humphries (EMP): wicketkeeper who splashed out with 502 runs for EMP last season. From Casterton and was a Victorian Country representative at the Under 18 national titles in 2018-19. A skilful cricketer with a good sense of the game. Knows her way around the football field, too: Humphries was on the Greater Western Victoria Rebels’ books in 2017 and kicked six goals in a NAB League Girls match.
Paris Rafferty (Box Hill): right-arm medium-pace bowler who crossed from EMP to Box Hill two years ago. Received more opportunity last season, took 25 wickets, and is gaining confidence and experience. The twin sister of former Victorian squad member Chloe Rafferty.
Addy Campion (Carlton/Brunswick): all-rounder — she’s a right-hand batter and right-arm medium pacer — and had an excellent 2019-20 as Carlton’s captain, reaching 383 runs with a patient approach and nabbing 29 wickets with her accurate medium pace. Gave one of the best performances of the season with 6-38 off 10 overs against Melbourne.
Jessica Matin (Dandenong): was in the headlines two weeks ago after being invited to the AFLW draft combine. She’s an emerging cricketer too, a perky right-hand batter who has been a regular state under-age representative. Made 419 runs for the Panthers last season. Sharp in the field and her steady bowling is to be encouraged.
Sophie Reid (Plenty Valley): wicketkeeper-batter who made the Premier team of the year in 2019-20 after putting up 750 runs, including an innings of 99 of Dandenong, profiting from her willingness to occupy the crease. Hits the ball crisply.
Olivia Thomas (Ringwood): right-arm fast bowler who has been around Premier Cricket a while but is still in the Under 19 program. They call her “Bobbie’’ and she has a long run-up, bowls as quickly as she can, fields well and won’t duck a battle.
Olivia Downes (Melbourne: tall left-arm medium-pacer who came through with 23 wickets last season and took Premier Cricket’s June Cole Award as the best first-year player in the competition. Also capable with the bat in the lower-order, hitting hard. Was a star under-age hockey player.
Ella Hayward (Melbourne): the 16-year-old has been added to the Melbourne Renegades’ squad after strong performances in Premier Cricket (18 wickets and 257 runs) and at the national Under 18 championships (233 runs at 46.6 and 15 wickets at 11.7). The right-hand batter and off-spinner started playing at Omega Cricket Club in 2012-13, went through the All Girls competition and made her First XI debut for the Demons in 2017-18.
Jaide Anthony (Prahran): 17-year-old all-rounder with impressive game awareness. Hits the ball powerfully, bowls right-arm off-spin, can keep and is a competitor from top to toe. Has played for Vic Country at the past two Under 18 national carnivals. Another emerging cricketer from the Mornington Peninsula and, like Jess Matin, shows ability on the football field (her father, Brett, played in the VFL) for the Dandenong Stingrays.
Georgia Gall (EMP): tall left-arm seam bowler and powerful left-handed batter who has represented Vic Country at Under 15 and 19 champships, and also played in a Cricket Australia XI. Missed all of last season with a foot injury but is an exciting prospect, as her contract with the Melbourne Stars WBBL team indicates. From Euroa and attends Geelong Grammar.
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