Photo Credit: Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers have boosted their batting stocks ahead of next week’s Weber WBBL|07 start with rising star Claire Moore called into the squad for injured all-rounder Hayley Silver-Holmes.
Moore, the leading run scorer in NSW Women’s Premier Cricket last summer, will replace her former schoolmate after a hip injury ruled Silver-Holmes out of the tournament.
The pair played grade cricket together at Parramatta, and both attended Hills Sports High in Seven Hills before Silver-Holmes left Sydney to take up a contract with Tasmania’s Women’s National Cricket League team.
Moore, who has also signed her first professional deal as a member of the 2021-22 NSW Breakers, said while it was tough to know she was her friend’s replacement, she intended to make the most of any chance.
“Hayley and I have played a lot of cricket together at school, club, and NSW Pathways levels, so it’s ironic that my chance in the WBBL has come following her injury,” Moore said.
“I really feel for Hayley. She is such a good player and has so much talent. I hope I can take this opportunity with both hands and represent both of us.”
While Silver-Holmes has left school, Moore, 17, is currently studying for her final HSC exam while sitting in hotel quarantine in Hobart. Her days consist of study, a modified fitness regime, and dreaming of her professional cricket debut with a Sixers team that includes international superstars Ellyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Ash Gardner and Indian duo Shafali Verma and Radha Yadav.
“It’s every young player’s goal to make it to this level, and to be able to train and hopefully play alongside the calibre of players the Sixers have is awesome,” she said.
“I haven’t even met all of them yet, but training in the offseason with Alyssa and Ash was great and I have already learnt so much from them.
“I just want to train hard and prepare well so that if I get called upon to play, I’ll be ready.”
Silver-Holmes said she was disappointed to be missing the season, but she’s happy her old schoolmate had joined the Sixers.
“I was obviously disappointed with the injury but now that I’ve had surgery and have started my rehab I’m just focussed on getting back to playing cricket when I can,” Silver-Holmes said.
“I love playing for the Sixers and I will spend a few weeks with the team at the start of the tournament so that I can continue to be around the group.
“For Claire this is an awesome opportunity, and I’m so glad I can be around to help her settle in.”
The Sixers begin their WBBL|07 campaign in the season opener against the Melbourne Stars on Thursday, October 14 from 7:40pm AEDT, at Blundstone Arena in Hobart.
Sydney Sixers WBBL|07 Squad
Head Coach: Ben Sawyer
Contracted for WBBL|07: Ellyse Perry (C), Jade Allen, Nicole Bolton, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Stella Campbell, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Emma Hughes, Matilda Lugg, Claire Moore, Angela Reakes, Shafali Verma (IND), Radha Yadav (IND)
Sydney Sixers WBBL|07 Schedule (All AEDT Start Times)
Thurs 14 Oct | v Melbourne Stars | 7:40pm | Blundstone Arena | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sun 17 Oct | v Hobart Hurricanes | 1:40pm | Blundstone Arena | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Wed 20 Oct | v Melbourne Stars | 4:50pm | Blundstone Arena | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Sat 23 Oct | v Sydney Thunder | 3:40pm | UTAS Stadium | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sun 24 Oct | v Melbourne Renegades | 1:40pm | UTAS Stadium | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sat 30 Oct | v Melbourne Renegades | 1:25pm | Lilac Hill | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Sun 31 Oct | v Perth Scorchers | 4:50pm | Lilac Hill | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Wed 3 Nov | v Hobart Hurricanes | 1:25pm | WACA Ground | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Tues 9 Nov | v Brisbane Heat | 2:35pm | Karen Rolton Oval | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Wed 10 Nov | v Adelaide Strikers | 4:50pm | Karen Rolton Oval | Foxtel/Kayo/cricket.com.au
Sat 13 Nov | v Brisbane Heat | 7:05pm | Great Barrier Reef Arena | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sun 14 Nov | v Sydney Thunder | 1:40pm | Great Barrier Reef Arena | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sat 20 Nov | v Adelaide Strikers | 1:40pm | Adelaide Oval | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
Sun 21 Nov | v Perth Scorchers | 10:15am | Adelaide Oval | Seven/Foxtel/Kayo
