Young gun signs on for the Hurricanes
IT’S full steam ahead for the Cane Train with one of the state’s best young talents the latest star to commit to the Hurricanes for the upcoming WBBL|08 season.
Tasmanian wicketkeeperbatter Emma Manix-Geeves, 21, will don the Canes purple this season after the emerging star inked a new deal to return to the team after a stint with the side in WBBL|05.
The powerful batter joins the Hurricanes after a spectacular 12 months in which she played major role in Tasmania’s historic maiden WNCL title as well as enjoying a dominant season in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League.
The Hurricanes play three of their 14 Big Bash games at home next season, starting with the Melbourne Renegades at Blundstone Arena on November 3, Brisbane Heat three days later and the Renegades again on November 7.
Manix-Geeves put in a heroic performance in the Tigers’ WNCL final with a maiden domestic century in a record 205-run partnership with Elyse Villani to help guide Tasmania to victory.
The returning Hurricane averaged 42.85 with the bat in nine appearances at domestic level to earn the honour of Cricket Tasmania’s Female Young Player of the Year.
The accolade topped off a rollercoaster 24 months for the youngster, who was recontracted by the Tigers last year after a dominant 2020/21 CTPL season following their decision not to re-new her state contract in 2020.
Manix-Geeves said she felt she now belonged at the top level and was excited to be joining the Hurricanes.
“It’s been a crazy couple of years, from losing my state contract, to coming back into the Tigers setup and taking that next big step and finishing the season the way I did in the final,” she said.
“It really gives me confidence that I belong at the top level and that the work behind the scenes is paying off.
“I’ve had a taste of WBBL action before, and to be back representing Tasmania at this level again is something I’m really excited about, and really proud to be able to do.
“I can’t wait to get out there and play whatever role I can, and just keep improving and growing as a player in every format.”
Manix-Geeves also continued her reign of terror on the CTPL, winning the Kim Fazackerley Medal as the women’s First Grade Player of the Year for the second year running, amassing a league best 682 runs at 68.2.
She joins Nicola Carey, Maisy Gibson, Heather Graham, Ruth Johnston, Amy Smith, Molly Strano, Rachel Trenaman and Elyse Villani as players currently contracted for WBBL|08.