Victoria put together strong squad for 2020-21 season; Kim Garth awarded contract

was announced as one of five new players to be awarded a Cricket Victoria contract for the 2020-21 season. She joins Sophie Day, Bhavisha Devchand, Zoe Griffiths and Anna Lanning as the other new entrants, the board revealed on Wednesday (June 24).

Garth, who has represented Ireland in both ODIs and T20Is, has over 1200 runs and 65 wickets to her credit in 85 internationals. In 2019-20, the allrounder represented Dandenong Cricket Club in Victoria, earning the Una Paisley medal for her consistent performances.

She has also turned out for Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers in the Women's Big Bash League, earning two winners medals as well.

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The 24-year-old is one of nine players with international experience in the 20-member list. She joins the likes of Meg Lanning, Sophie Molineux, Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham - all of whom are currently contracted with Cricket Australia - Elyse Villani and Molly Strano to complete a strong squad.

The allrounder also serves as perfect cover for Perry who is still recovering from a hamstring injury. While the Women's National Cricket League fixtures are yet to be announced, at this point, Perry seems as uncertain starter.

“Kim Garth has played a lot of cricket within Australia in recent seasons and brings further international experience to the squad. She will play as an overseas player initially however she intends to apply for permanent residency allowing her the opportunity to hopefully one day play for Australia,” Shaun Graf, Cricket Victoria's general manager of cricket, said.

“Under the guidance of newly appointed head coach, Lachlan Stevens, we’ll enter the season with an exciting mix of Australia’s best international players, talented young prospects and those looking to really establish themselves.”

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Meanwhile, Anna Lanning - sister of Australia skipper Meg - has returned after a stint with Australian Capital Territory where she had a tough time with in 2019-20, managing only a total of 117 runs in eight matches.

Among those missing from the 2019-20 Victoria squad are the leg-spin duo of Kristen Beams (retired) and Alana King (joined Western Australia), while Rhianna O'Donnell and Chloe Rafferty were both not offered contracts.

Squad: Makinley Blows, Lucy Cripps, Sophie Day, Bhavisha Devchand, Elly Donald, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Kim Garth, Zoe Griffiths, Anna Lanning, Meg Lanning, Sophie Molineux, Courtney Neale, Ellyse Perry, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Elyse Villani, Amy Vine, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

In: Sophie Day, Bhavi Devchand, Kim Garth, Zoe Griffiths, Anna Lanning

Out: Kristen Beams (retired), Alana King (WA), Rhiann O’Donnell, Chloe Rafferty