Young leggie Jade Allen signed up by Sydney Sixers for two years

“It’s been an awesome opportunity that has been given to me, so I’m super excited to join the girls for this season,” said Allen, 17, who signed her first domestic contract for New South Wales Breakers in May.

Allen was part of Australia’s under-19 squad, that was to tour South Africa in 2020. However, the pandemic put paid to the trip. Leah Poulton, Cricket NSW Head of Female Cricket, spoke highly of the teenager.

“I’ve coached Jade for many years now,” said Poulton. “She’s a genuine leg-spinner.”

“I was working at Cricket NSW when she was coming through the Pathway, when she was very young, and then when I was at Cricket Australia, she played for the Under 15 CA XI at the U18 National Championships which I was coaching, so I’ve seen a lot of Jade in action.”

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“Jade is a player we’re obviously really keen to get involved in the (Sixers squad) because as we know leg-spin bowling is a real weapon in T20 cricket. Anything where you can take the ball away from the right-hander is really effective. We feel like Jade has a lot of potential, it’ll be a great year for her just to be around the group and learn.”

“She has a good variations, and just very skilful with the ball. We see her as someone who’s got a long-term future in the WBBL and WNCL.”

Allen has received the Basil Sellers Scholarship, which is awarded some of the most promising cricketers, twice. The leg-spinner is also juggling her studies, completing her HSC this year. Allen will be sharing the dressing room with the likes of Ellyse Perry and Alyssa Healy, something she is looking forward to.

“Just being involved and getting the opportunity to just train with those girls will I think be the most beneficial,” concluded Allen.