THE 2023/24 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season is almost upon us, with games set to get underway later this month. To build up to the season, we here at Rookie Me Central will take a deep dive into each of the teams competing this season.

Today’s preview is all about the reigning runners ups, South Australia.

SQUAD

Jemma Barsby, Sam Betts, Darcie Brown, Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Paris Hall, Eleanor Larosa, Tahlia McGrath, Anesu Mushangwe, Courtney Neale, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Kate Peterson, Megan Schutt, Courtney Webb, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson

FIXTURE

September 22 – ACT – Karen Rolton Oval
September 24 – ACT – Karen Rolton Oval
October 10 – Western Australia – Karen Rolton Oval
October 12 – Western Australia – Karen Rolton Oval
December 12 – Tasmania – Blundstone Arena
December 14 – Tasmania – Blundstone Arena
January 5 – Queensland – Allan Border Field
January 7 – Queensland – Allan Border Field
January 29 – Victoria – Adelaide Oval
January 31 – Victoria – Karen Rolton Oval
February 15 – NSW – Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park
February 17 – NSW – Cricket Central, Sydney Olympic Park

NEW FACES

The Scorpions have focused on their bowling stocks with their 2023/24 inclusions.

Anesu Mushangwe is a leg spinner who has been around the South Australian cricket set up for a while now but finally earns a contract for the WNCL side.

Meanwhile Eleanor Larosa is an all-rounder while former Victorian Courtney Neale is a fast bowler.

DEPARTURES

There are only two departures from the Scorpions squad ahead of this season. Both Brookie Harris and Ellie Falconer decided to focus on non cricket priorities, the specificities of which were not disclosed by the Scorpions.

PLAYER TO WATCH

It could be a big summer for spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington to send a few messages to Australian selectors.

Consistently just missing out on selection for a number of consecutive Australian teams, Wellington is coming off the back of a successful winter overseas and could really springboard her game this summer and ensure the selectors have no reason to not pick her ever again.