Alyssa Healy to lead a strong NSW Breakers squad in first two matches of WNCL

Breakers will open their WNCL campaign with twin matches against Victoria on Wednesday (February 10) and Friday (February 12) at the Junction Oval in St. Kilda.

The 13-member squad has a strong mix of experience and youth with Healy, Australia vice-captain Rachael Haynes, allrounder Ashleigh Gardner, Sammy-Jo Johnson and Erin Burns. Phoebe Litchfield was ruled out of selection as she is still recovering from a foot injury. Seven players from WBBL06 winners Sydney Thunder are part of the squad.

Johnson and Burns will be making their debut for Breakers if they make it to the playing XI. Johnson moved back to her home state after having played her cricket in Queensland for nine years. Burns, who played for Tasmania and ACT and now will be looking t0 make her debut for Breakers.

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Young bowling allrounder Hannah Darlington, who won the Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year at the Australia Cricket Awards, has been named the vice-captain of the squad and teenager Anika Learoyd could also be in line for a debut. Young pace bowler Stella Campbell and left-arm seamer Lauren Cheatle are also named in the squad.

Dominic Thornely, head coach of Breakers, expressed his happiness about the way the squad has been shaping up and hoped of them putting up a good show against a strong Victoria side consisting of Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry and the likes.

“Our squad has a terrific blend of experience and talent,” Dominic Thornely, Breakers head coach, said. “We have enjoyed the senior players being around our pre-season and we are really excited to take on a very strong team in Victoria.”

“It is a fantastic opportunity to play with and against many of the best players in our country, something that we may look back on in years to come.”

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“Overall, our preseason has seen our squad become the fittest Breakers squad assessed and that is a compliment to the players and their commitment to our program.”

Squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Hannah Darlington (vc), Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Lisa Griffith, Rachael Haynes, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Lauren Smith, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson