There will be spots up for grabs: Healy

There’s no doubt Alyssa Healy has been walking the walk.

Last week she chalked up her maiden T20I hundred, that also happened to be the fastest ever T20 ton by an Aussie – and carried on to break the record for highest individual score in women’s T20I history.

But she’s also been talking the talk. And according to Australia’s superstar keeper-batter, we’re in for an absolute blockbuster of a Rebel WBBL season.

Healy was absolute in her belief that a standout performance in WBBL|05 is a means of forcing your way into the national setup ahead of the T20 World Cup.

"A hundred per cent, there’s probably eight or nine players that are going to be really raring to in the WBBL and looking to force their way into this side," Healy said.. 

"Motty (Matthew Mott) has been really clear that there will be spots up for grabs and I think that’s really exciting for cricket in this country at the moment.

"I think this WBBL is going to be really, really exciting, knowing there’s a really big carrot dangling at the end of the summer for a lot of people,

"So look out for some big scores and some big-wicket hauls – I think it’s going to be cool."

Sydney Sixers allrounder Erin Burns has been the perfect example of forcing an inclusion into the national team off the back of some impressive domestic form.

Prior to August this year, Burns was balancing her career as a physiotherapist with her passion to play cricket at the highest level.

In August, the pendulum swung towards cricket, as Burns was granted a surprise call-up into the Australia squad to tour the West Indies.

"It’s just been a little fairy-tale these last couple of months," Burns told cricket.com.au after scoring an unbeaten 30 in Australia’s second T20I win against Sri Lanka.

"I knew I’d had a couple of good Big Bash’s under my belt. But you never really know with these things.

"The Aussie girls have been so successful for so long now so it’s always hard to push your way into a winning team

"But you just try and take the opportunities when they come along, and I’ve just been fortunate enough to be presented with those in the last couple of months and I’ve been really enjoying every moment of it."

The depth in Australian cricket is well documented. There’s a host of young up-and-comers in National Performance Squad who, under the tutelage of Cricket Australia High Performance Coach Leah Poulton, have been putting in the hard yards over the winter months.

Then there's names like Elyse Villani, Belinda Vakarewa, Amanda-Jade Wellington and Tahlia McGrath who’ve already appeared in the green and gold and who will be itching to work their way back into the side ahead of the T20 World Cup in February 2020.

So, if the word of Healy is anything to go by, strap yourselves in for a cracker.

The WBBL|05 season gets underway on Friday October 18 with a clash between Healy’s own Sydney Sixers and their cross-town rivals, Sydney Thunder under lights at North Sydney Oval.

2019 Australia A squad: Maitlan Brown (Renegades), Erin Burns (Sixers) , Maddy Darke (Sixers) , Josie Dooley (Renegades), Heather Graham (Scorchers), Sammy-Jo Johnson (Heat), Tahlia McGrath (Strikers), Sophie Molineux (Renegades), Georgia Redmayne (Scorchers), Molly Strano (Renegades), Rachel Trenaman (Thunder), Belinda Vakarewa (Hurricanes), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Strikers)

2019 Women's National Performance Squad: Maitlan Brown (Renegades), Lauren Cheatle (Sixers), Maddy Darke (Sixers), Josie Dooley (Renegades), Nicole Faltum (Stars), Heather Graham (Scorchers), Alana King (Stars), Tahlia McGrath (Strikers), Annabel Sutherland (Stars), Rachel Trenaman (Thunder), Belinda Vakarewa (Thunder), Tayla Vlaeminck (Hurricanes), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Strikers), Tahlia Wilson (Sixers)