Cricket fans around the country should brace themselves for a meteor shower this summer, with 12 ACT Meteors cricketers contracted for the 2018-19 WBBL season, commencing 1 December.
Amongst the Canberra contingent is gun all-rounder Maitlan Brown, who, having played with the Renegades since 2016, says she’s champing at the bit to stake her claim for national selection, having been on the cusp of a call-up for some time.
“I’m hoping to bring out a bit of excitement with the ball and hopefully get back in the Aussie selectors’ sights … My ultimate goal is to play in the T20 world cup in 2020,” she says.
Brown says the fact so many of her Meteors teammates have made the grade is a testament to the quality of women’s cricket in the ACT.
“It’s great seeing so many of the ACT girls being contracted for the Big Bash, and I think for local girls coming through, it’s great to have players they can look up to playing at that level.”
With nine Canberra women contracted between the two Melbourne WBBL franchises, Brown says it will pretty well be the ACT in Melbourne this year.
“There’s a really good culture at the Renegades and I’m sure all the Canberra girls will slot right in.”
Brown will be joined at the Renegades by four of her Meteors teammates, including fast bowler Zoe Cooke, who, after dominating the ACT competition for four seasons, has risen through the ranks to see herself now competing at the highest level domestically.
Cooke says she’s excited to return to top-tier cricket.
“It’s kind of all crept up and all of a sudden I’m moving to Melbourne. It’s very exciting.
“The most exciting thing for me is that we’ve got a lot of the girls already down there; with five of the Meteors, it will be great to be around them and have people I know there.”
The 2018-19 WBBL season commences 1 December, with the Sydney Thunder hosting the Hobart Hurricanes at Manuka Oval on 21 December; cricket.com.au
At a glance
Caps beat Boomers
After dropping their AIS Arena clash against the Melbourne Boomers in October, the UC Capitals made sure history didn’t repeat itself on 23 November, with a tough-fought 72-70 win at the National Convention Centre Canberra.
Star recruits Leilani Mitchell (11 points, 2 assists), Kelsey Griffin (16 points, 18 rebounds) and Kia Nurse (16 points, 5 rebounds) all put in booming performances against Melbourne, with Nurse sinking a clutch basket with 18 seconds left to ice the game for Canberra.
Well placed in second on the ladder, the Caps next match will see them travel to Adelaide to play the Lightning on 2 December.
Women’s rugby shows depth
The Brumbies Women’s Super W squad is a step closer to being finalised following a successful trial weekend held earlier in November.
Over 80 prospective players attended the trials, overseen by new Head Coach Adam Butt, with an initial squad of 43 players being named.
Numbers will be cut down after the first four weeks of pre-season.
Butt says the level of talent omitted demonstrates the depth of women’s rugby in the Canberra region.
“We have some experienced players blended with new and exciting talent which will hopefully provide a strong core for the future.
“The trials were hard fought, and I commend all the players on the effort and professionalism they showed on the day.
The Brumbies Super W campaign will see them host NSW in a double-header at GIO Stadium on 15 February, with the Brumbies Super Rugby season kick-off against the Rebels right after.
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