The ACT Meteors will unleash a new and improved pace bowling arsenal in their quest to claim their maiden Women's National Cricket League title.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Meteors are set to be the major improvers in the WNCL after yesterday confirming the additions of internationals Rene Farrell and Kate Pulford to their 18-player squad.
Farrell, 25, is one of the leading fast bowlers in the country and possesses an impressive record in all three forms of the game, while 32-year-old all-rounder Pulford has more than 40 one-day international caps for New Zealand.
Throw in Kiwi left-arm quick Sian Ruck, who is ranked in the top 10 in the International Cricket Council's Twenty20 championship bowler rankings, and it's easy to see why Meteors captain Kris Britt will trust her pace attack to make crucial breakthroughs.
''If we can get early wickets that will set the games up, especially in T20 cricket,'' Britt said.
''Our fast bowlers will try and lead the way, then the spinners can clean up the wickets at the end.''
Farrell joins the Meteors from Perth and has played 23 one-day internationals (24 wickets at 23.83) and the same number of Twenty20 matches (19 wickets at 28.57) for the Australian Southern Stars.
She has also featured in two Tests, taking 10 wickets at the stunning average of 9.10, including best bowling figures of 7-55.
Pulford enjoyed a 12-year career with New Zealand, claiming 30 wickets in 46 ODIs while showing her class with the bat with a top score of 95.
Ruck arrived in Canberra on Wednesday for her second stint with the Meteors after representing New Zealand in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
The Kiwis lost in the semi-finals to England.
Britt has retained the captaincy of the Meteors, knowing strong performances during the summer will put her in contention for the Australian team for next year's 50-over World Cup.
''Everyone wants to play for their country, but my main focus is to captain the Meteors and to get us into a final,'' she said.
The Meteors finished third and fifth in the 50-over and Twenty20 competitions respectively last summer, but have endured a brutal pre-season under new coach Andrew Dawson.
''The girls have taken on board a lot of change and there's been a high emphasis on strength and conditioning,'' Dawson said.
''We've been good in taking down the weaker states on skill, but we need to be an all-round better team to match the likes of NSW, Victoria and Queensland.''
Former NSW Breakers duo Alison Parkin and Kate Watford, and NSW under-19 representative Wu Kwan Wong, are the other new players in the Meteors squad.
The Meteors open their season against reigning one-day champions NSW Breakers at Blacktown next Friday.