Photo Credit: South Australian Cricket Association
The SA Scorpions are pleased to announce the signings of Madeline Penna, Ella Wilson, and Paris Hall, with South Australia’s 2022-23 contract list confirmed today.
Penna, a formidable allrounder, heads to South Australia from the ACT Meteors, having spent the last three seasons in the nation’s capital.
A powerful right-hander and emerging leg-spinner, the 21-year-old has notched 334 runs across 13 WNCL appearances.
Her debut for the Meteors in 2019 was followed by a breakout season the next year, finishing inside the WNCL’s top ten run-scorers and bringing up a career-best 118 not out.
The move south will reunite Penna with Adelaide Strikers coaches Luke Williams and Jude Coleman on a full-time basis; an opportunity she says was too good to pass up.
“I’m very grateful to be joining the Scorpions and really excited to be working alongside Luke and Jude again.
“I can’t wait to get to Adelaide, and I’m really looking forward to getting the chance to play alongside some of the Strikers girls. South Australia has a great squad, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve next season.”
The Scorpions have additionally bolstered their stocks with the signing of local young guns Ella Wilson (Glenelg) and Paris Hall (West Torrens).
A tall pace bowler and middle-order bat, Wilson led South Australia’s Under-19 squad at the National Championships last month, taking the side to the Final at Karen Rolton Oval.
Ferociously fast, the young quick claimed 17 wickets across the women’s first-grade competition last summer for Glenelg alongside a number of healthy contributions with bat in hand.
Further depth to the batting stocks has also been added through crafty top-order batter, Paris Hall.
The fourth highest run-scorer in the most recent women’s first-grade competition, Hall notched an impressive 236 runs across her six appearances at an average of 39.33 with West Torrens.
In addition to the retirement of former South Australian captain Tegan McPharlin, Alex Price and Eliza Doddridge will also depart the Scorpions.
Announcing her retirement last month after 15 years and 86 games, McPharlin ends her time at the elite level as one of the games most respected and experienced players.
McPharlin and Price etched their names into South Australian history as members of the Scorpions drought-breaking 2015-16 WNCL title, capping a decorated list of achievements for the long-serving pair in South Australian colours.
South Australia wishes to thank McPharlin, Price and Doddridge for their contributions.
On the list announcements, SA Scorpions Head Coach Luke Williams said:
“We’re delighted with the additions that we have been able to make in Maddie, Ella, and Paris, and look forward to what each of them will bring to our squad.
“We are really pleased with the group that we have been able to build here in South Australia and are extremely optimistic about what we can achieve in 2022-23 and beyond.
“We thank Tegan, Alex and Eliza for their extensive contributions to our program and wish them all the best for their next chapters.”
South Australia 2022-23 contract list: Jemma Barsby, Sam Betts, Darcie Brown (Cricket Australia contract), Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Ellie Falconer, Paris Hall, Brooke Harris, Tahlia McGrath (Cricket Australia contract), Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Kate Peterson, Megan Schutt (Cricket Australia contract), Courtney Webb, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson.
In: Madeline Penna, Ella Wilson, Paris Hall.
Out: Tegan McPharlin (Retired), Alex Price (delisted), Eliza Doddridge (delisted).
