No Priest but lots of faith
TIGERS coach Salliann Beams admits it is a risk in offloading veteran run machine Rachel Priest, but says it is time to hand the keys to the youngsters for a period of sustained success.
Priest was the fourth leading run-scorer in the WNCL last summer, and second only to skipper Elyse Villani in the Tigers historic title run.
The 36-year-old former New Zealand international scored a century and a halfcentury in her 309 runs at 34 as an opening batter-wicketkeeper.
However, the rise of local talent Emma Manix-Geeves (21) and the recruitment of Rachel Trenaman (21) from NSW has seen Priest squeezed from the Tigers contract list.
Beams said Priest’s recruitment in 2000 was always a two-year plan to bring in experience and someone who could score runs and keep wickets before the next wave came along.
She said her success made the decision incredibly tough and that the veteran was keen to stay on, but the call had to be made.
“We’ve got a great opportunity for EMG,” the Tigers coach said.
“She’s done well in her first year opening the batting, she scored that hundred in the final, let’s see what she can do now as a keeper-batter.
“Yes there are a few risks around that, Priesty is an outstanding keeper but we’ve got to keep building as what we are after is sustainable success, and to do that you’ve got to start giving more chances to your younger players and that core group.”
Beams said a decision had not been made on Priest’s Hurricanes contract yet.
Opening bowler Belinda Vakarewa was offered a Tigers contract but declined as she has moved to Sydney to be closer to her family as she deals with mental health issues that saw her miss most of last season.
Trenaman will slot straight into Priest’s opening position with the bat.
“We’ve got high hopes for Rach,” Beams said.
“The biggest thing for me is having another player in our environment who wants to play for Australia.
“When you invest in youth it is really important you have someone with those high ambitions and, my word, she’s talented and got a hunger and drive to go a long way.”