Lisa Griffith to stand in as Breakers captain

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Allrounder Lisa Griffith will lead a 13-player NSW Breakers squad, comprising five potential debutants, travelling to Adelaide for the start of their Women’s National Cricket League title defence on Sunday.

Griffith, 27, will deputise as captain in the absence of Alyssa Healy, currently on national duties with the Australian Women’s team, as the Breakers embark on an exciting new era in pursuit of a record 21st WNCL title.

Four of the five possible debutants are teenagers. Allrounder Hayley Silver-Holmes, 16, batter Phoebe Litchfield, also 16, 17-year-old pace bowler Stella Campbell and off-spinner Saskia Horley, 19, could all make their debut in the opening match against South Australia at Karen Rolton Oval, Sunday.

Sydney Sixers leg-spinner Jodie Hicks is the other possible debutant. She has previously played five WNCL matches for the ACT Meteors.

The Breakers play their opening two matches against South Australia on Sunday then Victoria on Tuesday at Park 25.

Griffith, who hails from Bathurst originally, spoke about how she will approach her captaincy and the pre-season the Breakers have had to date.

After making her first appearance for the Breakers in eight seasons last season, Griffith will become the 29th woman to captain New South Wales on Sunday.

Silver-Holmes, Litchfield and Campbell were among five players to receive their first Breakers contracts in May along with wicketkeeper-batter Maddy Darke, 18, and Burns.

Darke was ineligible for selection due to a stress fracture in her foot.

The record for most NSW debutants in one Women’s match is four. On 5 January 2011, Australian allrounder Nicola Carey, Kath Koschel, Hannah Trollip and Kate Waetford all made their debut at the Adelaide Oval against South Australia.

NSW Breakers WNCL squad
Lisa Griffith ( c )
Sarah Aley
Stella Campbell
Lauren Cheatle
Rene Farrell
Jodie Hicks
Saskia Horley
Phoebe Litchfield
Hayley Silver-Holmes
Lauren Smith
Naomi Stalenberg
Rachel Trenaman
Tahlia Wilson