THE 2022/23 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season is just around the corner, and in anticipation of the new season we are going to take a look at each of the competing teams and where they sit heading into the new season.

Next up in our preview series is the reigning champions Tasmania.

Last season really could not have gone much better for the Tasmanians. They went through the season almost undefeated, losing only the one game to the Queenslanders back in December, and so finished clear on top of the table to book their spot in the decider.

Then came the day of the decider, and after being set what should have been a very challenging total to chase down by the South Australians, it ultimately proved not to be as the Tasmanians reached the total with relative ease to win the game and earn their first title. But now, they become the hunted as they chase the difficult task of going back to back in season 2022/23.

There have been a few changes to the championship winning squad ahead of the new season. The Tasmanians really have continued their successful strategy of looking right around the country to find the best possible talent. The headline of the inclusions is former New South Welshman Rachel Trenaman, with the 21 year old moving down the east coast to come to the reigning champions and is set to play a prominent part in their title defence.

Tasmania’s other inclusions are local bowling prodigy Clare Scott, South Australian Callie Wilson and Queenslander Julia Cavanough, while Emma Thompson returns to the side after missing last season due to maternity leave.

The biggest name on the list of departures has to be Corrine Hall, who has retired after a stellar career. Chloe Abel, Rachel Priest, Emily Smith and Belinda Vakarewa are the other departures, having not been included in the squad for this season. Smith has subsequently gone on a completely different sporting path, having signed on with Collingwood in the AFLW as a cross coder rookie.

TASMANIA 2022/23 SQUAD

Ins: Rachel Trenaman (NSW), Clare Scott, Callie Wilson, Julia Cavanough

Outs: Corinne Hall (retired), Chloe Abel, Rachel Priest, Emily Smith, Belinda Vakarewa

Contract list: Nicola Carey, Julia Cavanough, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Emma Manix-Geeves, Sasha Moloney, Clare Scott, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Amy Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Molly Strano, Emma Thompson, Rachel Trenaman, Elyse Villani, Callie Wilson