Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
Cricket NSW will host a new televised women’s T20 competition in January and February, pitting the state’s best female premier cricketers alongside and against NSW’s WNCL and WBBL stars.
The competition, titled Premier Plus, has been designed to bridge the gap between elite and premier cricket, whilst providing additional playing opportunities for the state’s best performing athletes.
The tournament will also serve as an opportunity for players to potentially earn a WBBL contract for upcoming seasons.
Some of those committed to playing include Breakers stars and Australian representatives Hannah Darlington, Erin Burns and Lauren Cheatle alongside rising teenagers Kate Pelle, Ananaya Sharma and Frankie Nicklin.
Competition Details
• The competition will feature four teams – Flames, Opals, Rays, Spirit – made up of an interchangeable combination of premier cricket and state representative talent.
• Regular rounds will take place at Blacktown International Sports Park and Drummoyne Oval, with the finals to be played at a venue still to be determined.
• All teams will compete on scheduled Fridays, in either the 4.30pm or 7.30pm timeslot.
• Matches will be broadcast to a national audience on Kayo Sports.
NSW Breakers representative, Lauren Cheatle, is excited at the prospect of competing against her WNCL and WBBL counterparts, and eagerly awaits the challenge to come from NSW premier cricket’s emerging talents.
“Premier Plus is a really great initiative to get more premier cricket and senior NSW players playing together and playing competitive cricket,” Cheatle said
“It’s a massive opportunity for grade cricketers, and players coming through the [Cricket NSW] pathway to perform well in front of WBBL and WNCL selectors and gain that experience of top-level cricket.
“Tournaments like this will only encourage NSW’s premier cricket players to become domestic and potentially international representatives one day.”
Frankie Nicklin, who debuted for the NSW Breakers in last Thursday’s WNCL fixture against South Australia, is thrilled to be a part of the Premier Plus competition.
“As a young premier cricket player, being able to play against the state’s high-quality players gives you the chance to learn from them, and test yourself,” Nicklin said
“I’m looking forward to getting the better of Cheats [Lauren Cheatle] a few times, perhaps whack her around a bit.”
Competition Draw
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.
