Rene Farrell to captain Breakers in absence of Alyssa Healy

The responsibility of captaining the NSW Breakers in rounds three and four of the Women's National Cricket League (WNCL) will fall on the experienced shoulders of former Australian seamer Rene Farrell in the absence of Alyssa Healy.



The Breakers have matches against Western Australia and Victoria in November. Farrell has been appointed as captain for these matches as Healy will be in the Caribbean for the World Twenty-20, where Australia will look to capture the title.



Farrell, who leads the Breakers' bowling attack told Cricket NSW, "To follow in the tradition of those that come before us like Julie Hayes, Lisa Sthalekar and... Alex Blackwell, it's exciting."



Farrell further added that she will not look to change what Healy has brought into the squad after she was named captain, following Blackwell's retirement.



Farrell retired from international cricket a short while ago. She has played in the WNCL for over a decade and has taken more than a 100 scalps in what was a memorable international career. She put in a stand-out performance with the ball in the opening round of the WNCL, finishing with figures of 6-17 in a painful one-wicket loss to Queensland.



About her bowling in that match, she said she was quite lucky, given the conditions. “The ball was hooping back in a little bit which was really nice. You’d love to take that wicket anywhere with you.” said the 31-year-old.



Five of the Breakers squad members have been named in Australia's squad for the World Twenty-20 and will therefore miss the two rounds. These players are Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes, star all-rounder Ellyse Perry, destructive batter Ashleigh Gardner, young all-rounder Nicola Carey and wicketkeeper-batter Healy.



Farrell believes that in the absence of the regular players, the younger ones will get their chance to play. Particularly those who were overlooked in the national selection and those who were dropped shortly after their debut. These players have something to prove in the upcoming round.



“The girls that make their debut or, have only played a few games for the Breakers before, will be wanting to be selected on a regular basis, so I think we’ve all got a lot to prove. If we can … play our roles then hopefully we can come away with the two wins.”



Farrell has some captaincy experience under her belt having led the ACT Meteors, at club and under age level previously and she relishes the role.



“I do enjoy talking to the bowlers and making sure they’re all set with their plans,” says Farrell.



She also added how important the experience of former Australian and Breakers seamer Sarah Aley and all-rounder Naomi Stalenberg will be for her as captain.



At the moment, Breakers sit at the top of the table, having registered a double-bonus point win over Tasmania. However, all teams are neck-to-neck, with one win to each of their names.



Farrell said the biggest take-away for the squad from the opening round was to not depend on anybody but yourself.



“It is a team game, but (we need to) be greedy and be selfish and really want the ball, or really spend time out in the middle to make a big score.”