Maitlan Brown signing boosts New South Wales squad for 2021-22

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Maitlan Brown expects WBBL to be played in a bubble

Maitlan Brown celebrates a wicket. © Getty Images

NSW Breakers signed pacer Maitlan Brown in a 17-member squad for the 2021-22 season that was announced on Wednesday (May 12). Brown, who previously represented ACT Meteors in the WNCL, is one of the three new faces in the squad along with teenagers Jade Allen and Claire Moon. Pace bowling allrounder Lisa Griffith and wicket-keeper Maddy Darke  moved to Western Australia from the Breakers. Hayley Silver-Holmes, the seam bowling allrounder also hasn’t renewed her contract for the upcoming season.



23-year-old Brown was named in the Australia squad for their series against New Zealand at home in September last year but is yet to make her international debut. She was out of action for a while after suffering a hamstring injury during WBBL06.



“I’m super excited to be back in NSW and playing for the Breakers. It was bad timing with snapping my hamstring last season but rehab has gone well and I am chomping at the bit really to be able to play again,” Brown said.



“I actually feel stronger and more athletic now than I did before the injury and just can’t wait to get out there again.”



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Leah Poulton, NSW’s head of female cricket, welcomed the signing of Brown and said she is an exciting prospect to have in the line-up.



“Maitlan is a product of the NSW pathway and we are thrilled to have her back with us. She is a is a quality fast bowler and an excellent all-round athlete. She’s also a fantastic team person who will add a great deal to our environment,” Poulton said.



Allen is a leg-spinner while fellow 17-year-old Moore was the highest run-getter in Sydney’s First Grade competition in the last season.



“Jade Allen and Claire Moore have been standouts in our pathway programs and thoroughly deserve their opportunity to step into an elite program. Jade is a skilful young leg-spinner from the South Coast who will add variety to our attack. We place significant value on Premier Cricket and this selection is great reward for Claire after a dominant season,” Poulton added.



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NSW Breakers, who have won 20 WNCL titles so far, had a disappointing 2020-21 season, winning only three of the eight matches and finishing fourth on the table. The squad will begin pre-season training in June.



Squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Jade Allen, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Hannah Darlington, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Emma Hughes, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Claire Moore, Lauren Smith, Rachel Trenaman, Tahlia Wilson
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