Three players are in line to make their Tasmanian debuts after being named in the Tigers’ 13-player squad for next week’s opening two WNCL matches against Western Australia at the WACA.
Off-season recruits Ella Hayward and Kate Pelle, along with second-year youngster Sara Kennedy, are all part of the travelling squad as Tasmania prepares to begin its 2026-27 campaign with back-to-back matches in Perth.
The fixtures will also mark Maisy Gibson’s first matches as Tigers captain, after the experienced allrounder was appointed to the role ahead of the new season.
Gibson will lead a squad featuring plenty of experience, including Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey, Lizelle Lee, Lauren Smith and Naomi Stalenberg, alongside a number of emerging players looking to make their mark early in the campaign.
“For our playing group they [the new faces] have been really good. Just the different experiences they've had in different states, and bringing that down here has been really nice to see, and they've all fitted in really well,” Gibson said.
“We've obviously had a change in personnel as well in terms of our coaching staff, and I think they've all slotted in seamlessly and put their own spin on things and looking forward to seeing how that comes off in the games.
“We saw some highlights of it when we're on the Sunshine Coast for pre-season games, but it’s just trying to do that all for longer, which I think was our main take from last season.”
Rachel Trenaman and Hayley Silver-Holmes are unavailable for selection due to their commitments with Australia A in the series currently taking place in India, while Mia Barwick is also in India for an under-19 Australian tour.
International recruit Alice Davidson-Richards will miss the start of the WNCL season after suffering an injury in England, while Callie Wilson is also unavailable due to injury.
The Tigers face Western Australia at the WACA on Tuesday, 29 September and Thursday, 1 October.
TIGERS SQUAD
Maisy Gibson (c)
Ava Curtis
Nicola Carey
Ella Hayward
Ruth Johnston
Sara Kennedy
Lizelle Lee
Caitlin Mair
Kate Pelle
Tabatha Saville
Courtney Sippel
Lauren Smith
Naomi Stalenberg
MATCH DETAILS
Tasmanian Tigers vs Western Australia
Tuesday 29 September
WACA, Perth
First ball: 4pm (AEDT)
Tasmanian Tigers vs Western Australia
Thursday 1 October
WACA, Perth
First ball: 4pm (AEDT)
Broadcasts: Kayo Sports & cricket.com.au