Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
Australian women’s team captain Alyssa Healy will join national teammates Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield on the list of names included in the first NSW Breakers squad of the 2023/24 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season.
Healy will lead the 13-player side that will go head-to-head against Queensland Fire at Cricket Central on Friday September 22 and Sunday September 24.
The Breakers are also bolstered by the addition of marquee signing Sarah Coyte, who finished as the competition’s leading wicket-taker last summer, collecting an impressive 30 scalps (at 15.56).
Now a nine-time WNCL champion, Coyte last put on the Breakers blue in season 2014/15; a campaign that culminated in a tenth successive title for NSW.
Breakers head coach Gavan Twining spoke on the significance of having Healy, Gardner and Litchfield available for selection.
“Any time we have our Australian representatives in the squad, we appreciate the added experience, composure and skills they bring,” Twining said.
“We embrace the fact that Midge (Alyssa), Ash and Phoebe help us play good cricket in the games they’re available for us.
Twining made certain to also highlight the importance of returning veteran seamer Sarah Coyte.
“The major reason we got Sarah in was for her experience, not only her wicket-taking ability. The fact that she has played over 10 years at this level with plenty of silverware to show for, proves how much she adds to this young group.
“Sarah provides a great deal of knowledge, and more specifically experience in the tight areas of a match, which we all saw last year in the final for Tasmania.”
A comprehensive spectator guide including live-streaming details will be released tomorrow.
NSW Breakers team to play Queensland Fire at Cricket Central on Friday September 22 and Sunday September 24: Jade Allen, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Sarah Coyte, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy ©, Saskia Horley, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Tahlia Wilson
Name of Author: Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW, officially the New South Wales Cricket Association, is the governing body for cricket in New South Wales, Australia. Based at Sydney Olympic Park, it oversees the New South Wales Blues, New South Wales Breakers, Sydney Thunder, and Sydney Sixers.