World Cup spinner set to debut for Tigers

ENGLAND bowler Alex Hartley is in line to make her debut for the Tasmanian Tigers in their Women’s National Cricket League matches against Queensland and South Australia at the TCA this weekend.

Hartley was part of the England side that won the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup and was named in last year’s ICC ODI Women’s Team of the Year. The left-arm orthodox bowler has taken 27 wickets in 18 one day internationals at an average of 21. Tigers coach Salliann Briggs said her left-arm spin will help the team.

“It was what this team needed to get better. We benefit massively in a development environment facing spinners day in-day out from the likes of her,” Briggs said.

“We knew we needed a spinner and that’s probably what we’re short on now and long-term. The downside is we had to wait until England named their squad before we could work out which spinner was going to come our way.

“I think we’ve got her at a good time because she’s got a fire in her belly. She knows that she’s got some competitions that she wants to play internationally.”

Captain Brooke Hepburn said the home side will look to build on its season-opening win against ACT with the back-to-back home matches.

“It showed the work we’ve been doing had really paid off and having a few club games under our belt now, we’ve got that match play in and we’re really looking forward to these two matches,” she said.

The 13-strong squad will be cut to 11 before the weekend. Both games — Queensland on Friday and South Australia on Saturday — begin at 10am at the TCA ground. Entry is free.