Photo Credit: South Australian Cricket Association
The SA Scorpions have bolstered their bowling stocks with three additions to its 2023/24 WNCL list, whilst retaining majority of their grand final playing squad.
Spinner Anesu Mushangwe, all-rounder Eleanor Larosa and fast bowler Courtney Neale have been added to the Scorpions squad, in place of Brooke Harris and Ellie Falconer.
Both Harris and Falconer have decided to focus on other priorities outside of cricket.
Mushangwe is no stranger to the Scorpions, having played nine matches for SA in the 2022/23 season, including taking a four-wicket haul in the WNCL final.
The leg-spinner originally from Zimbabwe has played 21 T20 Internationals and taken 33 wickets for her native country, but since moving to South Australia has impressed for Glenelg Cricket Club in SACA Premier Cricket to earn her first full state contract.
Seventeen-year-old Larosa is also a product from Glenelg and has already represented both South Australia and Australia in Under 19 sides.
The promising medium-pace bowling all-rounder has earned her first state contract.
Neale comes onto the Scorpions list with previous WNCL experience, having played 11 List A games for Victoria between 2018 and 2021.
Since moving to SA, Neale has played well in SACA Premier Cricket for the reigning premiers Kensington and was named in last seasons’ Premier Cricket Women’s Team of the Year.
Scorpions Head Coach Luke Williams is happy with the depth of the squad.
“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to retain the majority of a squad that’s played really good cricket over the last couple of years with two finals and with some new additions we’re hoping to go one step further next year,” Williams said.
“We’d like to thank Brooke and Ellie for everything they have contributed to our program and wish them all the best for their next step.
“After a promising start to her career last year, we are delighted that Anesu has agreed to terms with South Australia for this season. She showed her ability to contribute at the level and played an important role in the games that she played.
“Eleanor is a really exciting prospect who has shown her talent at various levels at Premier Cricket, through South Australia underage squads and with selection in the Australia Under 19 World Cup squad last year. She brings a different skill set as a left-hand batter and left-arm bowler, so she’s a good addition.
“Courtney, on the back of an outstanding season for the premiers Kensington, has been rewarded for Premier Cricket form, both in terms of statistics and the way she troubled some of the best players in the competition at different times. She is deserving of another opportunity at this level.”
It’s not just new players the Scorpions will be welcoming in 2023, but two new coaches in former Australian player Nicole Bolton and Darius Wyatt, who has been promoted from Head Coach, Female Pathways.
Williams, who was just announced as the Women’s Australia A coach for the Tour of the UK, is looking forward to what the new faces will bring.
“There will be new opportunities for us to review how we’ve been doing things, there will be new ideas to try add to our program,” he said.
“I’m really excited about what Nicole and Darius will bring to the program on a full-time basis.”
South Australia 2022-23 contract list: Jemma Barsby, Sam Betts, Darcie Brown (Cricket Australia contract), Emma de Broughe, Josie Dooley, Paris Hall, Eleanor Larosa, Tahlia McGrath (Cricket Australia contract), Anesu Mushangwe, Courtney Neale, Annie O’Neil, Bridget Patterson, Madeline Penna, Kate Peterson, Megan Schutt (Cricket Australia contract), Courtney Webb, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Ella Wilson
