WBBL U18 rookies revealed

Eight emerging cricketers will be given an invaluable opportunity to train alongside the country's top players during the Rebel WBBL season after earning rookie placements with the Big Bash clubs.

The WBBL|03 Under 18 Rookies were rewarded for strong performances during the recent Under 18 National Championships, with each to spend a two-week placement at a WBBL club experiencing life as a Big Bash player.

The eight rookies were selected by each club in consultation with the Women’s Youth Selection Panel at the conclusion of the National Championships last Thursday.

"The WBBL Under 18 Rookie Program is a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best players and see what it takes to make it at that level," Cricket Australia Female High Performance Coach Leah Poulton said.

"To be able to see first-hand how these players prepare themselves to perform at their best and to get a taste of what it’s like to be part of a WBBL club is a wonderful opportunity and a key step in their development."

The eight players will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of WBBL|02 rookies Ellie Falconer (Adelaide Strikers), Hannah Darlington (Sydney Thunder) and Nicole Faltum (Melbourne Stars), who all earned full contracts this year.

"Hopefully that trend continues with this group of players," Poulton said.

For the first time, a total of 24 players – including the eight rookies – were selected from the Championships to take part in an Under 18 WBBL Exhibition match on January 28 at the MCG following the WBBL clash between the Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes.

The group will be separated over the coming weeks into the Lanning XII and Perry XII – in honour of Australian superstars Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry – with the occasion to showcase the most outstanding performers from the 2017-18 Under 18 National Championships.

Rebel WBBL Under 18 Rookies: Emma de Broughe (Strikers), Josephine Dooley (Heat), Courtney Webb (Hurricanes), Erika Quinn (Renegades), Zoe Griffiths (Stars), Ashlee King (Scorchers), Stella Campbell (Sixers), Hayley Silver-Holmes (Thunder)