It’s been a memorable homecoming for local cricketing product Sienna Eve this week.
Not only did the Newcastle City junior take part in the Country Blitz tour of the region, the talented spinner signed her inaugural deal with the Sydney Thunder ahead of the upcoming Weber WBBL|10 season.
The side, boasting the likes of Chamari Athapaththu, Hannah Darlington, Anika Learoyd and Phoebe Litchfield, will open its account against the Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena on Monday 28 October.
Her deal comes just months after under-19 representative secured her maiden professional contract with the NSW Breakers.
“It’s incredible… and still a very surreal experience,” Eve said.
“[I’m] so excited to be able to be surrounded by so many amazing players… and very grateful for the opportunity.
“It’s helpful having the likes of Phoebe [Litchfield] and Hannah [Darlington] in the team.
“They’ve come through a similar path to how I started and, having people around you that are a similar age, it really makes the experience more relatable.”
It is not the first time Eve and Litchfield have teamed up.
The pair previously joined forces for an NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA) competition.
“It was back when I was in fourth class and she was in sixth,” she said.
“Phoebe was whacking 50s every single game, even back then.
“So, it was great to see her go through the stages and [I’m] excited to play with her again, that’d be awesome.”
Eve, a left-arm orthodox bowler, has enjoyed a remarkable journey through the state and national pathways system.
She kicked off last summer’s junior rep season by leading the NSW Country attack at the 2023/24 Under-19 Female National Championships, claiming 10 wickets at an average of seven.
She then picked up four scalps for the Australian Under-19s in a recent tri-series against Sri Lanka and England, including an impressive spell of 3-10 against the latter.
To top it off, she received the prestigious Alex Blackwell Medal for Female NSW Country Player of the Season.
Sydney Thunder WBBL|10 squad (as at 22 August 22): Chamari Athapaththu, Samantha Bates, Hannah Darlington, Sienna Eve, Saskia Horley, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Taneale Peschel, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson
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- ALM: Grimaldi confident Jets will ‘put on a show’ at Maitland
- NRLW: Knights young gun Romaniuk nominated for Veronia White Medal
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