State women’s coach confident successful program will result in more juniors coming into program

Just four home grown female cricketers have been contracted for the 2020-21 season, but Salliann Briggs is backing a targeted recruiting process and junior pathways to help unearth the next generation of stars.

Erin Fazackerley has taken a break from cricket. (AAP Image/Gary Day)

TIGERS female coach Salliann Briggs concedes the dwindling number of home grown contracted players is concerning but makes no apologies for trying to build a successful program.

Cricket Tasmania recruited another two players to the state for the 2020-21 season in

West Australian Heather Graham and Naomi Stalenberg (NSW), adding to the five additions who arrived last summer.

It leaves fewer local faces in the 13-strong squad — two contracts remain available — with Erin Fazackerley, Katelyn Fryett and youngster Emma Manix-Geeves all not returning.

Fazackerley has decided to spend some time away from cricket.

Erin Fazackerley, batting for the Hobart Hurricanes last season, has opted to spend some time away from cricket. (AAP Image/David Crosling)

Now preparing for her third season at the helm, Briggs said the focus must be on winning games but she is also confident the pathways for Tasmanian juniors are being built.

“It [less home grown players] is a concern but we have to remember that we want to win games of cricket and we actually want to inspire girls to play cricket,” Briggs said.

“I think one way of doing that is actually creating a successful female team, so we have to do that first.

“We are making sure we are building a pathway underneath to give those girls the opportunity.

“Bringing on Sara Mcglashan last year as our pathway head coach and then having a pathway academy and premier academy, and then doing the work in the north, we are slowly getting there.

Senior Tiger Corrine Hall (left) hails from NSW alongside coach Salliann Briggs. Picture: Richard Jupe

“I think the biggest surprise when I came over was ‘where were the girls who want to play for Australia?’

“After two years we are starting to get girls who believe they can do it.”

The Tigers have invested into the future in adding promising local 17-year-old Chloe Abel to the squad.

Local cricket player Chloe Abel, 17 of Sandy Bay has secured a contract with the Tasmanian Tigers for next season. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Briggs remains hopeful Fazackerley, who is supremely gifted but has struggled to fulfil her potential, will feature in the WBBL as she takes a break from the sport.

“Basically the girls were not in a professional program two years ago and we have gone pretty hard, that was a big change for some of those girls going from either flying to games or training twice a week to then being in a professional program.

“If you want to go and play for Australia, you have got to treat the game seriously … it is a tough game to get on the world stage.

“It [Fazackerley’s decision] is a shock because she is an impactful player but we have to do what is best for her and she decided to have a little break away from the game.

“Hopefully it is only a short break … we certainly hope to welcome her back when she feels the time is right.”