Youngest debutant in Tasmanian cricket history handed final women’s contract for next season
Tasmania has balanced its recruiting drive for next year’s WNCL season by adding the second youngest player to receive a state contract to its list.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE youngest debutant in Tasmanian cricket history has now become the second youngest contracted player as the women Tigers finalise their list for season 2020-21.
Teenager Amy Smith — who was just 14 when she made her WNCL debut last February — has landed her first state contract, joining former New Zealand veteran Rachel Priest as new additions.
RELATED: TEENS GET THE CHANCE TO SHINE
Now 15 years, seven months and 215 days, Smith narrowly missed taking the mantle as Tasmania’s youngest contract recipient, with Meg Phillips one month and nine days younger when she joined the squad in 2011.
Regardless, it is a huge vote in confidence for the leg-spinner.
“Amy is an outstanding talent, summed up by making her Tasmanian debut at 14 years of age and since then has been our most consistent young performer,” Tigers coach Salliann Briggs said.
“She is hungry to learn, loves the contest and is ready to embrace the challenge of being a professional cricketer. I’m looking forward to being a part of her journey.”
Current Australian Test captain Tim Paine was 16 when he first secured a rookie contract with the Tigers.
As revealed by the Mercury, Priest joins Tasmania after announcing her retirement from international cricket.
After winning back her national contract last year following two seasons in the wilderness, Priest was cut again by the White Ferns earlier this month despite featuring in the T20 World Cup in February and March.
“Rachel Priest is a name known to most as an accomplished international cricketer, and for her competitiveness and performance under pressure,” Briggs said.
“She is wonderful addition to the Tigers, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to complement our current squad.
“She is the kind of player you would rather have on your team than playing against.”
VFL move on agenda for draft hopeful
He’s given himself an outside chance of draft selection with a stellar TSL season. And a Tassie AFL gun is helping push Oscar Van Dam’s cause as he eyes a VFL move.
Tassie squads look to defend landmark national crowns
They created history last year, but Tasmania’s inclusion squad isn’t resting on its laurels as it looks to repeat the dose. And the state’s wheelchair team is keen to follow suit.