Farrell, Marsh join new-look Breakers

The Lend Lease Breakers have bolstered their bowling stocks with Ashes combatants Rene Farrell and Laura Marsh.

The reigning Women’s National Cricket League champions lured Southern Stars quick Farrell from the Tradies ACT Meteors, while England off-spinner Marsh will head down under to join NSW.

Farrell, who played a key role in helping the Southern Stars regain the Women’s Ashes, will bolster NSW’s pace stocks after fellow Southern Star Sarah Coyte moved to Breezair SA Scorpions. 

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“She is certainly someone who takes her opportunities and is very versatile with the new or the old ball,” Breakers coach Jo Broadbent said.

She said Marsh had been recruited to help mentor the talented upcoming spinners in the Breakers squad, including Ash Gardner, Lauren Smith and Maisy Gibson.

“Talking with that spin group, which is quite a young group, they’re really excited to have someone of Laura’s calibre on board,” Broadbent said.

“We’ve been very lucky to have someone like Erin Osborne who’s helped out tactically, even during games, and I think Laura will bring similar experience to the team.”

“You have to be open to listening to others, and I think this young group will get a lot from Laura both on and off the field, and Laura might get a lot from them too.”

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The Breakers will head into the season without former Southern Stars batter Leah Poulton, who has retired, while Angela Reakes, Kara Sutherland and Erin Osborne have moved interstate.

Broadbent said their losses would give opportunities to other players to break into the Breakers’ star-studded squad, which boasts Southern Stars Ellyse Perry, Allysa Healy and Alex Blackwell.

“I think there’s some players who have come out of the under-18’s who haven’t had the chance to play in the Breakers environment, I’m looking forward to what they might bring,” said Broadbent.

The introduction of the Breakers Academy will see players on the cusp of selection given the opportunity to train with and learn from the Breakers squad.

Lend Lease Breakers 2015-16: Sarah Aley, Alex Blackwell, Nicola Carey, Lauren Cheatle, Stefanie Daffara, Rene Farrell, Ashleigh Gardner, Maisy Gibson, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Laura Marsh, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Redmayne, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg

Breakers Academy 2015-16: Rhianna Dick, Mikayla Hinkley, Saskia Horley, Emily Leys, Hannah Trethewy, Belinda Vakarewa, Maitlan Brown, Amy Edgar, Carly Leeson, Melissa Norup