No limit for next generation in women's pathway

Australia's cavalcade of young female cricketers have the potential to take the game beyond the standard of their world-champion predecessors, according to chief selector Shawn Flegler.

This summer's Rebel Women's Big Bash League has seen an influx of young and exciting talent, headlined by 16-year-old Phoebe Litchfield at the Sydney Thunder.

Nine teenagers have featured in the opening two weeks of the WBBL, with Hannah Darlington, Madeline Penna, Tessa Flintoff and Annabel Sutherland among other to impress.

Flegler said he expected this to become more widespread, given the elite pathways structure now in place through the professional era and increased player numbers.

"We see it just in the profile of the young players coming through with their fitness stuff," Flegler told AAP.

"Just their skills, you have seen increases in scoring rates at national champs.

"Over the past five or six years, with the skill levels of players has improved each year. We're just going to see more of it.

"In 10 years' time it's going to be a very different looking game then, which is really great."

Flegler knows, however, it's not as if another Meg Lanning or Ellyse Perry is just going to arrive on his doorstep. But overall, the talent depth is improving.

"They're once-in-a-generation players," he said of the pair.

"At some point in time we're going to look back and go Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry are among the best ever.

"And Alyssa Healy's last 12 months has been ridiculous.

"It's very hard to replace world-class players, but what we're seeing is an increase in depth of international quality players."

In turn, Cricket Australia has put a heavy emphasis on offering touring opportunities for the young stars to get them ready for the future.

They have driven the charge for the inaugural Under-19 World Cup in 2021, with the underage team to make their second tour of South Africa in April.

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Teen spirit: Australia's best underage talent

Phoebe Litchfield Aged just 16 but has made the biggest impact of all the young stars in the WBBL. Already named in a junior Australia hockey side, Litchfield hit a half-century last weekend in just her second WBBL game to steer Sydney Thunder to a win over the defending-champion Brisbane Heat.

Annabel Sutherland The daughter of former CA chief executive boss James Sutherland is now making a name for herself in her own right. The best of the talented allrounders coming through, she hit a century for Australia's under-19 side on March's tour of New Zealand. Also claimed figures of 4-20 in her first game for the Stars two seasons ago.

Hayley Silver-Holmes Made her WBBL debut for the Sydney Sixers last summer aged just 15 and took 3-43 in an under-19s 50-over match against New Zealand just months later. Delivering the ball from a great height, she has enjoyed an increased role for the Sixers this season.

Hannah Darlington Enjoyed her finest hour at age 18 on Saturday night when she took 2-18 against Melbourne Stars and took the match-winning catch for Sydney Thunder on the last ball. The allrounder has been a part of the Thunder's academy for a number of years before getting her chance this season.

Madeline Penna A NSW talent who has moved to the ACT for her chance in the 50-over competition and the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL. The 19-year-old made her debut for the Stars on Saturday and had an immediate impact in her second game, claiming 4-20 against the Thunder with her leg-spinners.

Maddy Darke Young wicketkeeper-bat who made her debut for the Sydney Sixers this summer, who could one day be in line to fill Alyssa Healy's gloves. Well suited to the 50-over game, Darke also toured England with the Australia A squad during the winter.

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The likes of Litchfield, Flintoff, Darlington and Stella Campbell will also feature in three under-19s matches in Canberra next month.

The Perry XI and Lanning XI squads, coached by former Australian stars Leah Poulton and Shelley Nitschke, feature 10 WBBL-contracted players.

"Phoebe Litchfield, you look at her now and think she is going to be an unbelievable player, but does she have the same work ethic as Meg?" Flegler said.

"Can she tour and perform under pressure? All of it is an unknown until 10 years down the track.

"But you look at her now and she's got some pretty good attributes. ... I think she is going to be an extremely good player."

Image Id: https://www.cricket.com.au/~/media/News/2019/10/22flintoff?la=en&hash=E6DB1F43A25CDB89E72BEA11EF4CA849C3CCCEE5 Image Caption: Tess Flintoff impressed for the Melbourne Stars // Getty

Poulton, also the CA Female High Performance Coach, said the exhibition matches would continue to develop players.

"Now in its third year, these matches continue to play in important role in the development of the best underage talent in the country," Poulton said.

"The female player pathway is the strongest it has even been, and these matches certainly contribute to that along with regular overseas tours for the Australia Under 19 side.

"Just recently we've seen how well players such as Phoebe Litchfield, Stella Campbell and Tess Flintoff have done stepping up to the WBBL which is the leading women's domestic cricket league in the world, so it's evident that the pathway is doing what its designed to do.

"It's a really important period coming up for this age group with the ICC recently confirming an Under 19 World Cup and another Australia Under 19 Tour scheduled for next year. The players will definitely be out to impress."

Lanning XI: Isabelle Afaras (Sixers), Jade Allen (Thunder), Darcie Brown (Strikers), Emma de Broughe (Strikers), Tess Flintoff (Stars), Georgia Gall (Renegades), Sianna Ginger (Heat), Molly Healy (Scorchers), Ruth Johnston (Heat), Charli Knott (Heat), Caitlin Mair (Heat), Kate Peterson (Thunder). Coach: Jodie Fields, Assistant: Leah Poulton

Perry XI: 1. Zoe Britcliffe (Scorchers), Lucy Cripps (Stars), Stella Campbell (Sixers), Hannah Darlington (Thunder), Molly Godsell (Thunder), Ella Hayward (Renegades), Emma Hughes (Sixers), Phoebe Litchfield (Thunder), Ella Marsh (Hurricanes), Lilly Mills (Heat), Courtney Sippel (Heat), Amy Smith (Hurricanes). Coach: Shelley Nitschke, Assistant: Jono Dean

Fixtures: November 23: Phillip Oval, Canberra, Match 1 @ 9.30am, Match 2 @ 2pm. November 24: Phillip Oval, Canberra, Match 3 @ 9am.