A strong Newcastle contingent will lead the NSW Bush Breakers into battle at the Toyota Australian Country Championships this month.
With local cricket coach Tommy Anderson at the helm, the state outfit also features Emma-Jayne Howe, Kirsten Smith, Jaclyn Vickery, Ally McGrath and Abbey Taylor.
It’s a great reward for talented Waratah-Mayfield duo Howe and Vickery, too.
The pair recently captured the Newcastle District Cricket Association WT20 Cup for their club side, with the former picking up 1-14 and scoring 22 with the bat while the latter snared 2-27 with the four-piece in the seven-wicket victory.
The Bush Breakers are heading to the nation’s capital to face teams from Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, ACT, Queensland and East Asia Pacific from 14 to 20 January.
NSW meets South Australia at Phillip Oval in the opening round.
The 13-player squad includes four debutants – all from the Central Coast – Grace Dignam, Amy Cunningham, Rochelle Davis and Sophie Shelley – and a host of wily veterans, ably led by captain Kira Churchland.
“We’ve got a really excellent blend of youth and experience this year,” Anderson said.
“Unfortunately, we have left some really good older players out and had very tight selections because some of the younger players have forced their way in.
“Grace (Dignam) is one example of a youngster who has come through the country pathways and is a leader already.
“Every member selected plays in Sydney Premier Cricket, so we are not going to just to make the numbers up.”
Anderson said Churchland brought a wealth of experience to the squad as well.
“Kira is a school teacher and has played at the ACT Meteors when they first started,” he added.
“She captains Sydney Cricket Club and is just the level-headed, calm influence you need in a team.
“Jo Kelly is another of our more experienced players and she is still scoring runs in Premier Cricket, while (former Sydney Sixers all-rounder and current GWS Giants AFLW star) Jodie Hicks will also be in our leadership group.”
- NSW Bush Breakers outfit (Tommy Anderson, coach, Newcastle): Kira Churchland (Western), Grace Dignam (Central Coast), Amy Cunningham (Central Coast), Rochelle Davis (Central Coast), Jodie Hicks (Riverina), Emma Jayne Howe (Newcastle), Joanne Kelly (Greater Illawarra), Ally McGrath (Newcastle), Claire Murray (Riverina), Sophie Shelley (Central Coast), Kirsten Smith (Newcastle), Abbey Taylor (Newcastle), Jaclyn Vickery (Newcastle), Kelly Rowlings (Southern District); Kate Jackson (manager, North Coastal), Allison Brockley (scorer, Greater Illawarra)
For more sports stories:
- Prestigious Bradman Cup rolls into Lake Mac
- Waratah-Mayfield breaks WT20 Cup drought
- Former Test stars head cricket clinics throughout Hunter
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