Previously uncapped fast bowlers head up inaugural player voted T20 Challenge Team of the Year

Previously uncapped T20 fast bowlers Sianna Ginger and Eleanor Larosa have been named in the ACA All Star T20 Spring Challenge team; alongside experienced and established WBBL stars.

The inaugural T20 Challenge All Star Team was voted on by players from all nine teams, with the ACT participating in the inaugural competition alongside the eight aligned WBBL Clubs.

The first iteration of the competition saw a number of players making their Australian domestic T20 debut, marking an opportunity for young players to showcase their skills ahead of WBBL10.

Teams played four matches each, before progressing to a finals weekend, with the Hobart Hurricanes being crowned winners over Ginger’s Brisbane Heat.

Over the ten-day competition period, three players made centuries, five players took four wicket hauls, with many players getting exposed in different scenarios across the tournament.

Brisbane Heat’s Georgia Redmayne was named Captain of the player voted team.

Redmayne said the competition and player voted team was a good example of the depth of the Australian women’s cricket and the opportunity ahead for the women’s game.

“It is pleasing to be voted as part of the T20 Spring Challenge Team of the Year, alongside a talented group of both established and emerging domestic players.”

“More games for contracted domestic cricketers has always been a priority of players all around the country.

“The reallocation of matches to the T20 Challenge has given Australian Cricket the opportunity to do something different, exposing a lot of new players to T20 cricket.

“I look forward to the seasons to come to keep ensuring domestic players continue to be tested in high quality competitive matches throughout the season.”

Redmayne, was also selected wicketkeeper, scored 208 runs @ 41.60 to go with 2 catches and 5 stumpings.

Redmayne’s Brisbane Heat teammate Ginger contributed seven wickets @ 22.00 and 106 runs over six matches for the runner-up Heat.

Fellow emerging fast bowler Larosa was also voted in after an outstanding tournament for the Adelaide Strikers.

Both players had yet to play a domestic T20 match in Australian cricket and are now primed for a big WBBL with their respective teams.

Ginger very much appreciated being voted into the team, and that the competition provided an opportunity to hone her craft ahead of the WBBL.

“It’s really nice to be selected by my peers, it means a lot to be recognised by my opponents.

“I enjoyed the opportunity we got as young players. A lot of us got given the ball at important times or got the opportunity to bat up the order and face some really good bowlers, and there’s no better practice than match practice.

“I’m sure nothing quite prepares you for WBBL so I’m just excited to hopefully get some opportunities and see what I can do”

The Heat had four players voted into the side by the playing group, with three players from the Strikers and Hurricanes. The Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder rounded out the side with one player each.

ACA General Manager Member Services and Cricket Operations Brendan Drew congratulated players on a strong tournament.

“Being recognised by your peers is the greatest recognition you can receive, so congratulations to all players for being voted in,” Drew said.

“While players in and around the Australian team are getting more and more playing opportunities to play at the International level and in other domestic competitions, our domestically contracted players crave the opportunity to play in strong domestic competitions.

“The inaugural T20 Spring Challenge was a great launching pad to the summer of T20 cricket, and all players should receive well-deserved recognition for throwing themselves into the competition.”

The buildup to the 10^th edition of the WBBL continues, with players hoping to carry form into the tournament which kicks off with a double-header at Adelaide Oval, on Sunday.

Players are asked to vote on their standout players at the conclusion of all Australian domestic competitions, which forms the ACA All Star Teams of the Year.

The 2024-25 ACA All Star T20 Spring Challenge Team of The Year is: