WNCL Preview: Developing squad ready to take next step

Western Australia has a remarkably settled squad, making only one change to the contracted playing list for this season, with Sheldyn Cooper dropping out in favour of youngster Chloe Ainsworth.

The squad features experienced campaigners Chloe Piparo, Taneale Peschel and Mathilda Carmichael, as well as young stars Lilly Mills and Maddy Darke.

Australian regulars Beth Mooney and Alana King feature once again, but due to international commitments, won't see too much playing time for their state this summer.

WA's young group showed plenty of positive signs last summer, winning four matches to finish fifth, and taking it up to the competition's best teams on a regular basis, including a ten-wicket win against third-placed Queensland and a thrilling super over contest against South Australia.

The coaching group has seen more movement, with former WA batter Wes Robinson moving into the senior assistant role for head coach Becky Grundy, and former Victoria and WA seamer Kath Hempenstall moving into an assistant coach role with a focus on bowling.

In August, WA joined Tasmania, South Australia and ACT on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland for a pre-season mini-series that allowed the states to have three hit-outs before the season proper in a mix of 50-over and 20-over matches.

Last Season

Coming off a winless 2021-22 WNCL season, which was shortened to just eight matches due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the excitement within the playing group was certainly there, reflecting in a positive start to the season.

Before the season began, WA were able to add two quality players to their playing squad, with Australian opener Beth Mooney and young Queenslander Lilly Mills choosing to wear the yellow and black.

WA started their summer with back-to-back wins against ACT at the WACA Ground, thanks to standout contributions from regular Australian internationals Beth Mooney (151 in Game Two) and Alana King (5-12 in Game One).

While WA only won two of their remaining ten matches, the development of the younger players, the leadership from skipper Chloe Piparo and the evidence of a budding team culture was clear and obvious.

Despite the small number of victories in 2022-23, there were a number of standout performers.

The emergence of wicket-keeper batter Maddy Darke was extremely positive, as she enjoyed a breakout summer at WNCL level. The 22-year-old wicket-keeper batter finished the season with 475 runs including four half-centuries and a century, at an average of 52.78 from her 10 innings.

Darke’s standout moment of the season came when she compiled a brilliant 133 against South Australia at the WACA Ground on January 6, her maiden century in the WNCL.

The rising star was rewarded for her outstanding form, with selection in the Australian A Squad for the tour of the United Kingdom back in July. She played all seven matches in the series (1 Test, 3 ODI, 3 T20I), with the experience against international opposition sure to hold her in good stead heading into another WNCL campaign.

Offspinner Lilly Mills was outstanding in her debut season in the West, taking 20 wickets at 24.90 in 12 matches, to finish as WA's best bowler in the WNCL, and a well-deserved winner of the rising star award at the 2022-23 WA Cricket Awards.  

The Captain

Skipper Chloe Piparo will lead the squad for sixth consecutive summer, after taking the reins from former WA captain Nicole Bolton at the start of the 2018-19 season.

The crafty top order batter produced a career-best campaign at age 28, finishing the WNCL season as the second highest run-scorer in the competition, tallying 513 runs in 12 innings at a batting average of 51.3, including five half-centuries.

Her form was recognised, claiming her maiden Zoe Goss Medal as WA's best Female player.

Piparo's experience is vital for a younger playing group, with the 29-year-old currently the longest-serving player on the contracted list. She has played 69 matches since her debut in 2011-12 and currently sits second on WA’s all-time list of WNCL run scorers with 2,405 runs.

Her contributions atop the order will be important for her side as they look to continue their growth from last season.

Young gun

Exciting allrounder Ainsworth will be a player to watch this summer, after the 17-year-old earned her first full state contract ahead of the 2023-24 season.

The Melville product made her WNCL debut as a 16-year-old last season, when she took the field against Queensland at the WACA Ground.

She also displayed her talents in last year's Under 19s National Female Championships, where she was one of WA's most consistent performers across the tournament. 

The talented youngster collected 10 wickets at 15.10 and tallied 145 runs at 36.25 throughout the week, showing her ability with both bat and ball. 

Talking about Ainsworth, Captain Chloe Piparo said:

"I'm really excited to see what Chloe Ainsworth can do. (She's) just about to turn 18 and still at school at the moment, so hasn't really been able to train a ton with the main group, but has loved her opportunity when she has been around us. It was great for her to get up to Queensland and play in those practice matches. She's such a talent; so athletic and competitive and I can't wait to see with a full season under her belt what she can do."  

Key Players

Maddy Darke

After a wonderful season with the bat, Maddy Darke will be an important part of the batting group once again. Her combination with skipper Piparo atop the order got WA off to some great starts last season, with the young star hoping to build on her form from her last summer.

The 22-year-old is one of the squad's most talented players, with her sound technique, excellent running between the wickets, and improved power hitting the standout features in her game.

Mathilda Carmichael

The experienced middle order batter was one of WA's most consistent players in 2022-23, producing 335 runs including three half-centuries runs at an average of 33.50 during her 12 matches.

She was the best performer in a set of pre-season matches in August, striking two half-centuries in three matches.

Her composure at the crease, along with her ability to handle any game situation will be vital to a young batting group looking to make bigger scores this season. 

Captain Chloe Piparo is expecting big things from Carmichael this summer: 

"Seeing someone like Tilly Carmichael and the changes she's made - when you see an experienced player take their game to another level, I think that's really exciting. And the way she's performed in pre-season, I think she could be set for a big year." 

Piepa Cleary

The whippy right armer was a regular contributor for the yellow and black last season, capturing 13 wickets in 12 matches.

The 27-year-old also chipped in with lower order runs in 2022-23 with 129 runs, showing she is more than capable with bat in hand.

She is the leader of the bowling attack, with her and fellow seamer Taneale Peschel expected to shoulder most of the fast-bowling load for WA this summer.

Cleary has become a well-respected leader within the state squad, providing mentorship for young fast bowlers Chloe Ainsworth, Georgia Wyllie and Zoe Britcliffe in recent seasons. 

Last season's WNCL result: 5th (four wins, eight losses) 

Contract list: Chloe Ainsworth, Charis Bekker, Zoe Britcliffe, Matilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Maddy Darke, Ashley Day, Amy Edgar, Lisa Griffith, Alana King*, Lilly Mills, Beth Mooney*, Taneale Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Poppy Stockwell, Georgia Wyllie  

* Denotes Cricket Australia contract  

In: Chloe Ainsworth  

Out: Sheldyn Cooper  

The inside word with captain Chloe Piparo

The pre-season: "We had the six-week break - it seems like forever ago now – and we all got stuck into it. A few older athletes got a few extra weeks, which was nice. Some fitness stuff, then skills as well. It's been it's been a good pre-season.   

"Always nice when we can get some games in (as well). So to head up to the Sunny (Sunshine) Coast was really good for the group and I guess it helps us reinforce that what we've been doing and working hard on in the pre-season has come to fruition in some of those practice games, which gives us confidence leading into the season.  

"To go up and play against South Australia, ACT and Tassie was really nice. We put some runs on the board in the first game and bowled really well on the second game, too. We put in some really solid performances over the over three games, which is exciting."  

Schedule: 

• September 26 v Victoria, WACA Ground  
• September 28 v Victoria, WACA Ground  
• October 10 v South Australia, Karen Rolton Oval 
• October 12 v South Australia, Karen Rolton Oval 
• January 5 v ACT, WACA Ground (D/N) 
• January 7 v ACT, WACA Ground (D/N) 
• January 19 v NSW, WACA Ground (D/N) 
• January 21 v NSW, WACA Ground (D/N) 
• February 1 v Tasmania, Blundstone Arena 
• February 3 v Tasmania, Blundstone Arena 
• February 15 v Queensland, Allan Border Field 
• February 17 v Queensland, Allan Border Field