Stand-out efforts in the KFC T20 Max women’s competitions have been rewarded with spots in the Queensland Fire squads for this weekend’s State pre-season practice games on the Sunshine Coast.
Fire Opportunities Beckon
The women’s T20 Max competition was decided on Sunday with a final ball win by Wynnum-Manly over Western Suburbs at Allan Border Field.
Young pace bowlers Catherine White (Sunshine Coast), Olivia Winter (Gold Coast) and Filippa SueSee (Wests) will rub shoulders with the likes of Queensland and Australia ‘A’ selections Nicola Hancock and Sianna Ginger.
SueSee, a Queensland Under-16 representative in 2023-24, finished as the joint leading wicket-taker in the T20 Max, claiming 12 wickets at 10.5.
Wynnum-Manly duo Grace Collins, a right-hand order batter from Maryborough, and left-arm spinner Clodagh Ryall, a Queensland and Australian Indigenous representative, have gained selection in the wake of concerted performances for the Sea Eagles.
Former South Australian batter Annie O’Neil (pictured above) will also play in the matches following strong efforts for Wests in the T20 Max, finishing with 231 runs at an average of 77.
Reigning Kath Smith Medalist Darcy Johnson also gains a start off the back of her consistent effort in the Katherine Raymont Shield first grade competition last season for Sandgate-Redcliffe.
The pre-season games will also provide valuable leadership opportunities for allrounder Sianna Ginger, with the Australia ‘A’ player set to take on the captaincy roles during the games.
Queensland will play Tasmania, NSW, Victoria and South Australia as States step-up the final preparations ahead of the start of the Women’s National Cricket League later this month.
The Fire, runners-up to NSW in the WNCL last summer, will open their season against Western Australia in Perth on September 24 and 26.
Queensland Fire Pre-season Practice Squads
Eliabeth Daniels Park, Maroochydore, Sept 5-10
Lucy Bourke (Valley)
Grace Collins (Wynnum-Manly)
Sianna Ginger (Valley)
Nicola Hancock (UQ)
Lilli Hamilton (Wests)
Darcey Johnson (Sandgate-Redcliffe)
Annie O’Neil (Wests)
Clodagh Ryall (Wynnum-Manly)
Chelsea Sonter (Wests) (wk)
Ayaka Stafford (Wests)
Tarah Staines (Sunshine Coast)
Ruby Strange (Wests)
Filippa SueSee (Wests)
Catherine White (Sunshine Coast)
Olivia Winter (Gold Coast)
Mikayla Wrigley (Sunshine Coast) (wk)
Matches at Maroochydore CC
Qld v Tas, Friday 5 September
Qld v NSW, Sunday 7 September
Qld v Vic, Monday 8 September
Qld v SA, Wednesday 10 September