How the WNCL squads shape up for 2018-19

NSW Breakers

Australia allrounder Ashleigh Gardner has returned home to the Lendlease Breakers after one season with South Australia and joins a star-studded line-up that also includes international teammates Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes and Nicola Carey.

The NSW native, whose Cricket Australia contract was renewed last month following another successful 12 months in the green and gold, rejoins the Breakers for their bid at a remarkable 20th title from 23 WNCL seasons, while the Breakers will have a new skipper for the summer following the retirement of Alex Blackwell.

Ins: Ashleigh Gardner (South Australia)

Outs: Alex Blackwell (retired)

CA contracts: Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry

Full New South Wales contracts: Sarah Aley, Lauren Cheatle, Rene Farrell, Maisy Gibson, Lisa Griffith, Mikayla Hinkley, Saskia Horley, Carly Leeson, Lauren Smith, Naomi Stalenberg, Rachel Treneman, Hannah Trethewy, Belinda Vakarewa, Tahlia Wilson

Western Fury

The Fury have made two changes to their 14-player contract list after making the final of the 2017-18 edition of the WNCL.

Pace bowler Ashlee King has won a state contract for the first time while former Victoria player Kath Hempenstall has made the move west.

King was the Perth Scorcher's Under 18 rookie in WBBL|03, while the experienced Hempenstall returns after last playing domestic cricket for Melbourne Stars in early 2016.

Katie Hartshorn has taken a break from domestic cricket in 2018-19, while Rebecca West was not offered a state contract.

Ins: Ashlee King, Kath Hempenstall (formerly Victoria)

Outs: Katie Hartshorn, Rebecca West

CA contracts: Nicole Bolton, Elyse Villani

Full Western Australia contracts: Megan Banting, Melissa Cameron, Mathilda Carmichael, Piepa Cleary, Sheldyn Cooper, Bhavisha Devchand, Amy Edgar, Heather Graham, Kath Hempenstall, Ashlee King, Emma King, Tanaele Peschel, Chloe Piparo, Emily Smith

Image Id: 27604B267A444C57BFC789ECB12FE146 Image Caption: Kath Hempenstall has made the move west // Getty

South Australia Scorpions

Ashleigh Gardner has returned to NSW, but the Scorpions still have two Australian contracted players within their ranks in Megan Schutt and Amanda-Jade Wellington.

There are a total of three changes from their 2017-18 side with Brittany Perry omitted and New Zealand international Sophie Devine opting not to return this season, in addition to the departure of Gardner, with with two new faces in leg-spinning allrounder Kelly Armstrong and off-spinner Shae Daly.

Ins: Kelly Armstrong, Shae Daly

Outs: Ashleigh Gardner (NSW), Brittney Perry, Sophie Devine

CA contracts: Megan Schutt, Amanda-Jade Wellington 

Full South Australia contracts: Kelly Armstrong, Samantha Betts, Shae Daly, Eliza Doddridge, Ellie Falconer, Brooke Harris, Sarah Lowe, Tahlia McGrath, Tegan McPharlin, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Katelyn Pope, Alex Price, Tabatha Saville

Image Id: 8248CD17EB16405B9BCD7BB97E3D0971 Image Caption: Schutt is one of two Australia-contracted players in the Scorpions' ranks // Getty

ACT Meteors

The Abode Hotels ACT Meteors have added promising teenager Matilda Lugg to their ranks on a one-year contract. Hailing from Coffs Harbour, 18-year old Lugg has graduated from the NSW pathway program and formed a name for herself playing for NSW/ACT Country at the National Under 18 Championships.

She's one of three additions alongside Zoe Cooke and former Victoria allrounder Anna Lanning, while the ACT have confirmed South Africa pair Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk will not return.

Ins: Matilda Lugg, Zoe Cooke, Anna Lanning (Victoria) 

Outs: Dane van Niekerk, Marizanne Kapp, Nicole Goodwin, Emily Leys

Full ACT contracts: Samantha Bates, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Zoe Cooke, Nicola Hancock, Clara Iemma, Hayley Jensen, Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Katie Mack, Matilda Lugg, Erin Osborne, Angela Reakes 

Image Id: 641C5F3090AA43D7AAE9C3258945F1AE Image Caption: Meteors newcomer Matilda Lugg // Cricket ACT

Queensland Fire

Queensland have landed a major coup, luring former Australia batter Jess Duffin north for the 2018-19 Women’s National Cricket League season.

The former Victorian, who did not hold a state contract last summer but played for Melbourne Renegades in the Rebel WBBL, has joined current internationally contracted players Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney and Delissa Kimmince at the Konica Minolta Fire.

Duffin is one of four inclusions for the Fire for the 50-over domestic competition, alongside homegrown talents Courtney Sippel and Meagan Dixon and Dutch international Sterre Kalis.

Ins: Jess Duffin (formerly Victoria), Sterre Kalis (Netherlands), Meagan Dixon, Courtney Sippel

Outs: Kara Sutherland (retired), Carly Fuller, Courtney Hill

CA contracts: Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney

Full Queensland contracts: Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Tess Cooper, Meagan Dixon, Josie Dooley, Jess Duffin, Holly Ferling, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Sterre Kalis, Georgia Prestwidge, Kirby Short, Courtney Sippel

Image Id: 96B5FD38B585469384664B92C1587ED4 Image Caption: Jess Duffin has joined the Fire // Getty

Victoria

Australia captain Meg Lanning has returned after missing last season due to injury, while her sister Anna was one of three players let go.

Anna Lanning, Hayleigh Brennan and Gemma Triscari (retirement) have all lost their deals, while Elly Donald, Amy Vine and Courtney Neale come in.

Cricket Victoria have also announced the men's team will no longer be known as 'The Bushrangers' or the women as 'VicSpirit', with both the men's and women's teams to simply be referred to as Victoria.

Ins: Elly Donald, Amy Vine, Courtney Neale

Outs: Anna Lanning, Hayleigh Brennan and Gemma Triscari (retired)

CA contracts: Meg Lanning, Sophie Molineux

Full Victoria contracts: Kristen Beams, Makinley Blows, Elly Donald, Nicole Faltum, Emma Inglis, Alana King, Courtney Neale, Rhiann O’Donnell, Chloe Rafferty, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Amy Vine, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

Image Id: 9C4C6CCFC8A54CDDB48D82FA16FC8F2C Image Caption: Meg Lanning is back // Getty

Tasmania Roar

After a winless campaign in 2017-18, the Roar have a new coach for the upcoming summer after signing English mentor Salliann Briggs and hope to nurture local talent. They've added talented local youngster Emma Manix-Geeves to their list alongside Hurricanes player Sasha Moloney, while they've also lured promising top-order batter Ashley Day from NSW.

Ins: Ashley Day, Emma Mannix-Geeves, Sasha Moloney

Outs: Emily Divin, Isobel Joyce, Laura Wright

Full Tasmania contracts: Stefanie Daffara, Ashley Day, Erin Fazackerley, Katelyn Fryett, Corinne Hall, Brooke Hepburn, Emma Manix-Geeves, Sasha Moloney, Meg Phillips, Veronica Pyke, Celeste Raack, Georgia Redmayne, Emma Thompson, Courtney Webb