After first signing with Sydney Sixers at the age of 17 in the middle of her Higher School Certificate, Cobargo’s Jade Allen has committed to the Weber WBBL’s favourite franchise for a third summer.
Allen is considered a prodigious leg-spinner, who will be a handy wicket-taking option in WBBL|09 for coach Charlotte Edwards’ team.
The 19-year-old rising all-rounder had a stellar 2021/22 summer, captaining NSW Country at the 22/23 Under-19 National Championships, where she claimed the second most wickets in the tournament and added an impressive 169 runs to her name. Her outstanding performance was rewarded with selection in the Australian Under-19 team for the first time in the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.
Tickets to this summer's WBBL & BBL go on sale to the general public on August 21.
The Sixers will host the very first match of WBBL|09 on October 19 against the Melbourne Stars at North Sydney Oval, where Allen will be teaming up with her lifelong Sixers idols.
“I'm feeling really excited for another year with the Sixers, it’s another opportunity to keep learning from the older girls in the group, so I’m quite keen for it,” Allen said.
“I'm hoping to bring a bit of fun, obviously as one of the younger ones of the group, so I think just some laughter and freshness to the group is what I can add.”
Allen said her main focus for the season ahead was to keep growing as a player so she can put her best foot forward for WBBL|09.
“I want to keep developing my skills and keep learning and if I get an opportunity to play in the WBBL this season, playing a game at the SCG would be amazing, so I'll take any opportunity I can to get out and play,” she said.
“To have an opportunity with the Sixers and with being based in Sydney and to spend the two months here is so helpful and beneficial for my cricket as well.”
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Allen is ready to prepare and take the field this season with the support and help of her squad and life-long idols.
“Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry are the players I’m most excited to be playing with this season, but all of the Aussie (team) girls are all so amazing and I’m always looking forward to training and playing alongside them.
Sydney Sixers head coach, Charlotte Edwards, said Allen was developing extremely well at this stage of her career.
“Jade has been really impressive over the last few summers as she builds on her craft, training and playing amongst some of the best players in the world, day in and day out,” Edwards said.
“Last summer she came along in leaps and bounds and showed the potential she has to have a long and successful career.
“We are really excited to continue that journey with her throughout WBBL|09 and I look forward to working with her again.”
Sydney Sixers WBBL|09 squad: Jade Allen, Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Lauren Cheatle, Ash Gardner, Emma Hughes, Ellyse Perry (c)