ACT bowler Erin Osborne is looking forward to leaving behind all of "the fun stuff you enjoy about winter", as the Meteors edge towards their opening Women's National Cricket League fixture.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Meteors travel to Perth on October 14 to launch a busy season for Osborne, but first on her agenda is a Sri Lankan tour with the Australian side.
The Southern Stars are preparing for four one-day internationals and a Twenty20 match before players return to the domestic arena.
"That's a long trip [but] it's an important start to our season," Osborne said.
"I think if we're able to get off to a couple of wins against WA and Victoria, then it'll set up our season really nicely."
Osborne will barely have a moment to rest when she packs her kitbag at the conclusion of the WNCL season. Should the Meteors reach the final, the second instalment of the Women's Big Bash League will follow a week later.
Osborne has re-signed with the Sydney Thunder on a one-year deal after a historic 2015-16 season saw the men's and women's sides win their respective championships.
It's a far cry from the club's first four seasons that rendered five wins and three wooden spoons.
"I think the transition has been incredible," Osborne said.
"To think from where the men have come to be able to then win it, it was pretty special. And then to have the women do it in the same year. I'm not sure you'll see that again for a number of years.
"Just to be a part of it, I'm very honoured and privileged to have that opportunity and I think what [Thunder general manager] Nick Cummins has done for the franchise is fantastic."
Osborne said it is important for junior cricketers to be able to witness the "colourful" WBBL as the Thunder begin to provide "a visible pathway" in the ACT.
"From under 15s all the way up there are emerging ACT Meteors pathways and NSW Breakers pathways," she said.
The reigning champions have barely made a change to their roster bar the addition of Indian vice-captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
"She's an exciting player with both bat and ball so [I'm] really looking forward to meeting her and trying to learn as much as possible from her," Osborne said.
