For the T20 Spring Challenge, the Hobart Hurricanes have called up 13-year-old Mia Barwick to the team. She will take the position of Heather Graham, an all-rounder who has traveled to the United Arab Emirates to represent Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 following Tayla Vlaeminck’s injury that ended the campaign.
During her first season with North Hobart Cricket Club in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League last year, Barwick, a gifted speed bowler, was in outstanding form. She also did well at the Female National Championships for Under-16 and Under-19.
The Hobart Hurricanes have two games left this week and are presently ranked third in the T20 Spring Challenge standings. Although they are competing for a spot in the Finals on Saturday, October 19, securing a spot in the top four is the primary goal. On Monday, October 14, Barwick carried the drinks against the Perth Scorchers. He has the opportunity to play in the last stretch of the new early-season competition, which is a practice run for the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
“At only 13 years of age, the Hobart Hurricanes are proud to see a Cricket Tasmania pathways athlete given exposure to the professional game early on in Barwick’s career,” the Hurricanes.
Caoimhe Bray makes an impression with the Sydney Sixers.
The WBBL overseas players have not yet joined the Women’s T20 World Cup, but the top Australian cricket players are. Thus, a number of young players have had the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities through the T20 Spring Challenge.
After an outstanding performance for Australia Under-19s earlier this month, 15-year-old all-rounder Caoimhe Bray has made an impression at Sydney Sixers. On his debut, Bray took 2/19 against ACT before taking out Laura Harris against Brisbane Heat the day after the latter had hammered a thrilling ton off 46 balls.
In the meantime, the Spring Challenge was created to make up for the WBBL’s shortened schedule, which now consists of 40 games.
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Originally intended to be a state competition, pressure from Victoria and New South Wales changed the tournament’s format to include WBBL teams.