Coyte to make WNCL comeback

Former Australia allrounder Sarah Coyte is making a return to 50-over domestic cricket, signing on with ACT Meteors for the 2019-20 Women’s National Cricket League season.

Coyte, who played four Tests and 77 limited-overs matches for Australia, retired from international cricket in 2016 to focus on her health.

After moving back to her native New South Wales and taking an extended break from cricket, medium-pacer Coyte was coaxed back into action as a replacement player for the Sydney Sixers during the business end of WBBL|03.

After a stunning comeback that included a player-of-the-match performance for the Sixers in the final, Coyte was signed by the Adelaide Strikers for WBBL|04.

But her return to the WNCL will mark her first state cricket since she announced she was stepping away from South Australia in early 2017, as she bolsters an ACT squad featuring four new faces.

Coyte is joined by young guns Amy Yates, Isabelle Afaras and former NSW Breaker Carly Leeson.

“We have brought in some experience, through Sarah Coyte’s signing, and have contracted some younger players who will be looking to forge a name for themselves,” Cricket ACT General Manager High Performance Olivia Thornton said.

“When you combine youthful exuberance with older heads like Osborne, Reakes and Mack, it makes for a potent mix.”

Leeson, 20, is a young medium pace bowler who has held contracts with NSW and the Sydney Sixers in the WBBL, while Yates and Afaras – who travelled to New Zealand with the Australian Under 19s earlier this year – have earned their first state deals.

But the Meteors have lost the experience of key allrounder Erin Burns, who has moved to NSW, while left-arm spinner Sam Bates has signed with Tasmania.

Also departing is Hayley Jensen – a dual citizen who has returned to New Zealand’s contracted players’ list – and Clara Iemma.

Jensen will continue to train with the Meteors around her international commitments.

ACT Meteors squad: Erin Osborne, Isabelle Afaras, Maitlan Brown, Zoe Cooke, Sarah Coyte, Nicola Hancock, Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Anna Lanning, Carly Leeson, Matilda Lugg, Katie Mack, Angela Reakes, Amy Yates