Young gun happy to play the long game after signing new deal

Lucy Finn is prepared to play the long game as she develops her all-round skills, fresh off signing a new two-year deal with the Sydney Thunder.

The pace-bowling allrounder burst onto the scene last season, impressing in her first WBBL campaign for the Thunder before earning a call-up to New South Wales' senior side.

Off the back of that debut summer, the 19-year-old first earned a place on the Breakers' 2026-27 contract list, while the Thunder were eager to ensure Finn would not be lured elsewhere, offering a multi-year deal.

"I played last year and had just the one-year contract and got a taste of it, so it's really cool to be on for another two years," Finn told cricket.com.au.

"I enjoyed the group last year, the coaches. I can't wait (to be back).

"It's just a really relaxed environment, and everyone can be themselves – all the girls support each other, and Lisa Keightley, as the head coach, is always encouraging us to try new things, and just give it our best and have fun out there."

Playing seven matches for the Thunder in WBBL|11, Finn took six wickets and showed off her all-round skill in the Sydney Smash when she arrived in the middle with her team 6-42 and duly struck an unbeaten 49 batting at No.8.

In similar circumstances in NSW colours later in the summer, Finn produced a rescue job against Tasmania – in just her second WNCL match. With the Breakers struggling at 5-76, she hit 64 and shared in a 128-run stand with Sarah Coyte to save the day.

In the same game, she picked up her first WNCL wickets, including the prized scalp of Lizelle Lee.

Like many aspiring young allrounders, Finn is aware she'll likely have to bide her time down the batting order early in her career, given the strength of the Thunder and Breakers batting line-ups.

But she need not look far for the blueprint for all-round development, having keenly watched the careers of Australia's superstar allrounders Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland. Both started predominantly as pace bowlers, before flourishing into some of the world's most dominant batters.

"I love both batting and bowling … whatever opportunity I get in the team, I'd love to take it, whether that's with the bat or ball I just want to put my hand up," Finn said.

"Batting is such a fun thing to do, and when it comes off, it feels really good.

"So any opportunity where I can go out there with some overs to spare and have a bat, I'll definitely want to take.

"I guess you've seen the likes of Ellyse Perry who started out more as a quick bowler, and now she's batting in the top four in the Aussie team – a lot of players take that path."

With her first professional preseason now under her belt, Finn is eager for the domestic season to start.

First up will be New South Wales' opening domestic 50-over matches against Queensland from September 29, followed by the T20 Spring Challenge in the lead-up to Weber WBBL|12, where Finn will look to put into action the work she's put into both facets of her game through the winter.

"It's been pretty hectic, pretty crazy – lots of hard, long days, but it's been so fun," Finn said.

"With my bowling, I've made my run up a bit longer, trying to get a bit more speed.

"And then with my batting, just tightening up my technique, making sure everything's in line, and just trying to make my game more expansive and explosive."

The Thunder have now confirmed 10 players for WBBL|12, with five spots - including a maximum of two overseas players - left to fill.

They have so far maintained a consistent squad, with no confirmed inclusions or omissions from last season's list. 

Coach: Lisa Keightley

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Sam Bates, Hannah Darlington, Lucy Finn, Hasrat Gill, Laura Harris, Heather Knight (England), Anika Learoyd, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll, Tahlia Wilson

 

Uncontracted: Ella Briscoe, Sienna Eve, Taneale Peschel, Tara French (LRP), Alex Mavros (LRP), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Em Arlott (England)