PUNISHING PRIEST TAKES CANES’ REINS FOR WBBL
Hurricanes dasher Rachel Priest’s blazing run with the bat last season has earned her a promotion for the 2021-22 competition, writes
BLAZING batter Rachel Priest has been elevated to captain of the Hobart Hurricanes for WBBL|07 after she was voted best player in purple last season.
The punishing right-hand batter and talented wicketkeeper only joined the Cane Train last year and immediately made her mark, taking out the Hurricanes’ player of the tournament award for WBBL|06.
The 36-year-old Kiwi said she was “honoured” to be crowned captain, replacing Corinne Hall.
“It’s definitely a huge honour to be asked to be captain of any team, but from my time in Tasmania so far, I know what a proud cricketing state this is, and what having this role really means,” Priest said.
“Even though I’ve been around cricket for a while now, I’ve continued to learn and evolve both as a player and as a person during my time here in Tassie.
“It’s a great group of girls we have this year — on paper, from a cricket perspective — but also off the field. I’m really excited to lead this group and see what we can achieve.”
Coach Salliann Beams said Priest was a natural choice to fill the leadership position.
“We have a lot of fantastic leaders in our group, but when it came to naming the captain, it was a bit of a no-brainer,” she said.
“Not only is she a fantastic player, but she’s got a lot of experience playing cricket all over the world in all different conditions, and she’s also got a really great cricket brain.
“This will be ‘Priesty’s’ second season with us, which on one hand isn’t a lot of time.
“However, as she’s also a part of our Tigers group, she’s already spent a lot of time with the people involved with our program and they all agree she is the perfect person
for this role.” The Hurricanes’ WBBL|07 campaign begins next Saturday when they take on the Melbourne Renegades at Blundstone Arena. james.bresnehan@news.com.au