Emma Hughes, a talented teen, has been signed by Sydney Sixers for the upcoming fifth edition of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), beginning October 18.
The 18-year-old right-arm swing bowler will join the team for the camp leading into the season before returning home to complete her studies.
“The opportunity at the Sixers, to be able to play with the best players and to be coached by Ben Sawyer as the head coach is something I am really excited about,” Hughes said.
Having graduated from St John's College in Dubbo, Hughes still has her HSC exams to complete at the end of October. Talking about the forthcoming opportunity at Sixers, Hughes said getting a chance to learn from the likes of Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy is what she is most looking forward to.
“Playing in the T20 format and trying to learn from people who have lots of experience, players like Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Ash Gardner and Erin Burns is going to be awesome. I’m really keen to learn more about which balls to bowl in which situations and about committing in the field. I also want to work hard on my batting because my goal is to become an all-rounder.”
Hughes, who was part of Sydney Thunder Academy, had impressed Ben Sawyer after returning with figures of 6 for 19, including a hat-trick, for the ACT/NSW Country in the national under-15 championships in 2015. Later on she contributed to the ACT/NSW Country side’s win over NSW Metro in the 2018 under 18 national 50 over a side tournament.
“Emma has certainly shown some ability with the ball and her commitment to travel to improve her cricket is something that indicates she is serious about her career,” Sawyer said. “We understand that she will be focussed on her HSC and cricket for the first part of our season but are looking forward to Emma joining the squad full time and getting stuck into training as the season progresses."
“The ability for our young players like Emma, Maddy Darke, Stella Campbell and Hayley Silver Holmes to learn from our experienced internationals I believe is second to none in the WBBL and I am sure Emma will make the most of that.”
Hughes will join the Sixers on October 7 before returning to school to finish her exams following the team’s first two games on October 18 and 19. The teen will then join Sydney on November 5 for the remainder of the tournament.
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