Anna Peterson, Holly Huddleston and Katie Perkins among Auckland Hearts players to receive domestic contracts

Skye Bowden, Izzy Gaze, Arlene Kelly, Tariel Lamb, Regina Lilii, and Jesse Prasad were the others who made the cut.

The Hearts also announced an 18-player squad for the start of the season that is scheduled to begin in the last week of October. However, they will not take part in the opening rounds due to the extended Covid-19 lockdown. The group includes New Zealand opener and central contract holder, Lauren Down, and three NZC development contract players in Bella Armstrong, Fran Jonas and Molly Penfold.

Having retained her domestic contract, allrounder Arlene Kelly spoke about the difficulty caused by the pandemic and resultant lockdowns in the region.

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“We are all well-rehearsed with Zoom calls now, so we have kept communication lines open around how we are tracking individually and as a team. Bowlers have been sharing different ways of getting loads in (such as bowling into a bedsheet) and our new assistant coach has been fantastic ensuring bowlers are as prepared as we can.”

“Our biggest challenge so far has naturally been the uncertainty and stop-start introduction we have had to the season. Losing an entire pre-season hasn’t been easy, but we are all absolutely fizzing to get back into it as soon as we can,” she said.

With a new addition to their coaching staff in Donovam Grobbelaar, Auckland will start their season with the clash against defending champions Canterbury Magicians on November 6.