CRICKET prospect Maitlan Brown will play for the Melbourne Renegades in this year’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
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The 19-year-old bowling all-rounder sealed a contract with the Renegades after being spotted playing for ACT.
Brown has had a gap year in 2016 hoping to get a start with a WBBL franchise and was spotted by the Renegades playing for ACT in a trial game against Victoria. She linked with ACT after initially missing a start with NSW. Brown was later offered a place in the NSW squad, but opted to stay with the Canberra-based team.
“I thought I’d get more exposure playing for ACT,’’ she explained.
Brown will head to Melbourne in December and said her two months there will be ‘pretty full on,’ with a busy playing and training schedule.
“I think I only get about three days off in December,’’ she said.
There’ll also be plenty of travel involved.
“I’ll even be flying on Christmas day,’’ she said.
Eight sides play in the WBBL including two from Melbourne – the Renegades and the Melbourne Stars. Sydney Thunder won the inaugural title last season.
Melbourne Renegades are based at Etihad Stadium.
The Renegades struggled last season, finishing in last place. however, Brown said the franchise will be strengthened with the acquisition of a number of experienced players this campaign.
Brown said she ‘can’t wait’ for the season to start.
“It’s going to be a great opportunity to play with and against some great cricketers,’’ she said.
Brown, from Wingham, created history in Manning cricket two seasons ago when she became the first women to play in a premiership winning first grade side with United. She has represented NSW at under 18 level after starting to play cricket as a schoolgirl in the Manning juniors. She’s an opening bowler and handy lower order batter.
Renegades head coach Lachlan Stevens said the squad was shaping up well.
“We've had such an exciting off-season in terms of shaping our playing ideology and group dynamic for WBBL|02. This team will play a brave, fun and exciting brand of T20 cricket. I can't wait to watch them go about their work,” Stevens said.
He said Brown is a member of a ‘young and exciting group,’ adding the club expects to unveil other signings soon.
The Renegades begin the season on December 10 against Adelaide Strikers at North Sydney Oval.
It’s been a big sporting year for Brown and her family. Brown’s brother, Reid, 17, was named in the Australian All Schools golf team following the national championships held in Adelaide.
