Cricket ACT is pleased to confirm the ACT Meteors squad for the 2023/2024 Women’s National Cricket League campaign, which will once again be led by experienced opening batter Katie Mack.
As announced in the new Memorandum of Understanding between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Associaton in April, the Meteors squad will increase to 16 players.
With the Meteors young squad continuing to develop depth in line with Cricket ACT’s strengthening elite pathways, the major change for the playing group sees former Captain and Australian Under-19s coach Erin Osborne taking the next step in her coaching journey, taking over from Jono Dean as Head Coach.
Dean will switch to the ACT Comets as Head Coach of the returning National 2nd XI side.
Among the new names on the Meteors list are local wicketkeeper-bat Grace Lyons, who has come through the ACT pathways and is completing her final year at high school, and former Bangladesh international off-spinner Jannatul Sumona, who was upgraded to a contract last season after playing the final four matches against New South Wales and Victoria.
Spin bowling allrounder Grace Dignam will make the move to Canberra as the leading run-scorer in Sydney 1st Grade last summer, while 17-year-old fast bowler Amy Hunter will also juggle her first domestic contract with her final year of school in Far North Queensland.
Explosive Victorian top order bat and wicketkeeper Paris Bowdler also joins the Meteors after being selected in the Australian Under-19s squad that was knocked out by England in the World Cup semi-final earlier this year in South Africa.
Former Meteors allrounder Zoe Cooke will depart the Meteors program after electing to take up an offer with Queensland. Canberra born and bred Zoe has been such a huge contributor for the game in our region on and off the field, and Cricket ACT send her off with our very best wishes for ongoing success.
ACT Meteors squad for 2023/2024 WNCL:
– Alisha Bates
– Paris Bowdler
– Kayla Burton
– Rebecca Carter
– Grace Dignam
– Holly Ferling (vc)
– Angie Genford
– Amy Hunter
– Carly Leeson (vc)
– Grace Lyons
– Katie Mack (c)
– Olivia Porter
– Chloe Rafferty
– Jannatul Sumona
– Gabrielle Sutcliffe
– Annie Wikman.
INs: Jannatul Sumona (upgraded), Grace Lyons, Paris Bowdler, Grace Dignam, Amy Hunter
OUTs: Ange Reakes (retired), Matilda Lugg (retired), Zoe Cooke (Queensland), Amy Yates (delisted)